City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Bethlehem costs 0.0% less than Stockholm. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $75,000 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
118
Stockholm
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
92
Stockholm
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
88
Stockholm
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $75,000 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $445,000. The $187,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,156 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Bethlehem and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $51,546 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bethlehem is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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