City Comparison

Bethlehem vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bethlehem

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

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

10.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.2%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to $68,041 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Bethlehem
105
Vienna
Groceries
101
Bethlehem
85
Vienna
Utilities
102
Bethlehem
98
Vienna
Transportation
103
Bethlehem
102
Vienna
Healthcare
83
Bethlehem
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has the same purchasing power as $68,041 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $82,670 in Bethlehem.

Living in Bethlehem vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $395,000. The $137,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 10.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Bethlehem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,041 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Bethlehem's housing index is 110 with median homes at $258,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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