City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Savannah

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Savannah

Georgia
93
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$45,210
Median Income

The Verdict

4.3%

Savannah is 4.3% less expensive than Bethlehem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $71,907 in Savannah to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
81
Savannah
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
100
Savannah
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
95
Savannah
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
101
Savannah
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
98
Savannah

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $71,907 in Savannah.

Conversely, $75,000 in Savannah equals $78,226 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Savannah

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Savannah's 81, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $250,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,300/mo in Savannah, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 100 in Savannah. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $475/month in Savannah. 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 95 in Savannah. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $380 in Savannah. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 98 in Savannah. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $45,210 in Savannah. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $48,613 respectively. Bethlehem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Bethlehem vs $1,055/month in Savannah. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Savannah, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Savannah is 4.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,907 in Savannah, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Savannah's is 81 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases