City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

Pennsylvania
97
Average
$258,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$62,600
Median Income

Round Rock

Texas
101
Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$100,500
Median Income

The Verdict

4.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.0%, with Bethlehem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $78,093 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
110
Bethlehem
92
Round Rock
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
96
Round Rock
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
109
Round Rock
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $78,093 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $72,030 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $413,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $456/month in Round Rock. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Bethlehem and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Bethlehem vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 4.0% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,093 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases