Bethlehem vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 16.9% less than Bethlehem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $64,175 in Waco.
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 $64,175 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $87,651 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Waco
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $230,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Bethlehem and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 93 in Waco. 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 $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $59,639 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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