City Comparison

Bethlehem vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

11.8%

Living in Bethlehem costs 11.8% less than St George. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $85,052 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
144
St George
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
100
St George
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
87
St George
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
104
St George
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $85,052 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $66,136 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs St George

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $550,000. The $292,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,984 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $475/month in St George. 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 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $348 in St George. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 96 in St George. 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 $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $65,818 respectively. St George 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 11.8% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,052 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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