Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Bethlehem, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 4.0% cheaper than Bethlehem, PA. This translates to saving $302 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Bethlehem, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bethlehem, PA, you'd need approximately $146,381.775 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bethlehem, PA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 9.1% more expensive than in Bethlehem, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,343/month in Bethlehem, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bethlehem, PA to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from Bethlehem, PA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $302 per month, or $3618 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bethlehem, PA vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bethlehem, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Bethlehem, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $302/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.4K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 4.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$302

Savings

Annual Impact

$3.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Bethlehem, PA

Population:78K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$282K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:96

Median Home:$257K

Bethlehem, PA

The Keystone State

78K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 78K residents.

Kansas City, MO

The Show-Me State

508K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 508K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bethlehem, PA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Bethlehem, PA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,929/mo	$2,105/mo	↑ $176more	9.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,063/mo	$949/mo	↓ $114less	10.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,316/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $101less	7.6%
⚡All Utilities	$584/mo	$535/mo	↓ $48.34less	8.3%
📦Other	$1,644/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $37.12less	2.3%
🏥Healthcare	$584/mo	$607/mo	↑ $22.71more	3.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 9.1%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,929

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$176

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.7%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,063

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$114

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.6%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,316

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$101

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.3%

Bethlehem, PA

$584

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$48.34

less

📦Other

↓ 2.3%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,644

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$37.12

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 3.9%

Bethlehem, PA

$584

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$22.71

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Bethlehem, PA: Bethlehem Earned Income Tax$4,125/yr (2.8%)

Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Net difference-$2,625/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$929

To$1,180

↑ $251

1 Bed

From$1,103

To$1,280

↑ $177

2 Bed

From$1,343

To$1,460

↑ $117

3 Bed

From$1,717

To$1,900

↑ $183

Bethlehem, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,360–$1,440/mo

Kansas City, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $900–$1,800/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,120

Monthly in Bethlehem, PA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$101

Difference

Home Values

Bethlehem

Kansas City

$282K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +3.5%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +43.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$278K - $286K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 9% less expensive than Bethlehem

Calculate payment - Bethlehem Calculate payment - Kansas City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.3K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$277

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Bethlehem, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

Kansas City, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Bethlehem, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

Kansas City, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.