Bethlehem vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
St. Paul
The Verdict
Bethlehem is 3.0% less expensive than St. Paul overall. A household earning $75,000 in Bethlehem would need approximately $77,320 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $77,320 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $72,750 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $260,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 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 St. Paul, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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