City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

14.1%

Living in Tyler costs 14.1% less than Bethlehem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $65,722 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
69
Tyler
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
96
Tyler
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
97
Tyler
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
92
Tyler
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $65,722 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $85,588 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Tyler's 69, 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 $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $64,471 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 14.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,722 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases