Bethlehem vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bethlehem
Youngstown
The Verdict
Living in Youngstown costs 18.3% less than Bethlehem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bethlehem, you would need $63,402 in Youngstown.
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 $63,402 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $88,720 in Bethlehem.
Living in Bethlehem vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Bethlehem's housing index of 110 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $258,000 vs $102,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Bethlehem compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Bethlehem and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Bethlehem vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Bethlehem vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Bethlehem and 90 in Youngstown. 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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,536 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Bethlehem, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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