Bethlehem vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Bethlehem costs 5.8% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $79,639 in Surprise.
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 $79,639 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $70,631 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $419,000. The $161,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,464 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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