Cost of Living Comparison Between Bethlehem, PA and Tampa, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bethlehem, PA and Tampa, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,632 per month in Bethlehem, PA vs $3,149 in Tampa, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,794 per month in Bethlehem, PA vs $4,581 in Tampa, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,956 per month in Bethlehem, PA vs $6,014 in Tampa, FL, rent included.

Bethlehem, PA is about 16% cheaper than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Bethlehem, PA and Tampa, FL sit above the global median – Bethlehem, PA by 91%, Tampa, FL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.67 $17.67

$19.64 $19.64

-10.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.45 $49.45

$74.7 $74.7

-33.76%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.80 $12.80

$11.84 $11.84

8.11%

Cappuccino

$5.33 $5.33

$5.91 $5.91

-9.81%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 $3.08

$3.43 $3.43

-10.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.50 $2.50

-20.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.17 $5.17

$6.92 $6.92

-25.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.76 $8.76

-7.19%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.16 $1.16

$1.25 $1.25

-7.20%

White Bread (500g)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.82 $3.82

6.28%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$4.85 $4.85

-13.20%

Eggs

$4.09 $4.09

$3.44 $3.44

18.90%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.35 $12.35

$14.12 $14.12

-12.54%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.40 $16.40

$11.05 $11.05

48.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.59 $18.59

$20.34 $20.34

-8.60%

Apples (1kg)

$5.05 $5.05

$5.47 $5.47

-7.68%

Banana (1kg)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.84 $1.84

-13.04%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.09 $6.09

$3.40 $3.40

79.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.24 $7.24

$3.94 $3.94

83.76%

Potato (1kg)

$5.55 $5.55

$2.63 $2.63

111.03%

Onion (1kg)

$3.02 $3.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.42 $2.42

11.16%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$2.30 $2.30

-15.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.62 $9.62

$9.11 $9.11

5.60%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.61 $17.61

$14.73 $14.73

19.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.93 $1.93

$2.60 $2.60

-25.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.21 $3.21

$5.50 $5.50

-41.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.04 $2.04

11.76%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.8 $63.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.45 $2.45

27.35%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.48 $1.48

16.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.53 $27.53

$20.34 $20.34

35.35%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.98 $0.98

3.06%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.3K $37.3K

$36.9K $36.9K

0.91%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.3K $28.3K

$27.4K $27.4K

3.41%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$196 $196

$204 $204

-4.08%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$64.8 $64.8

$70.7 $70.7

-8.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.1 $78.1

$75.4 $75.4

3.58%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.66 $36.66

$48.36 $48.36

-24.19%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.95 $20.95

Cinema Ticket

$15.24 $15.24

$16.72 $16.72

-8.85%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,010 $1,010

$1,464 $1,464

-31.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.0K $25.0K

$22.3K $22.3K

12.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 $53.5

$56.1 $56.1

-4.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.44 $29.44

$43.35 $43.35

-32.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.4 $67.4

$89.0 $89.0

-24.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.0 $86.0

$124 $124

-30.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,566 $1,566

$2,286 $2,286

-31.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,362 $1,362

$1,647 $1,647

-17.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,250 $2,250

$3,887 $3,887

-42.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,092 $2,092

$2,939 $2,939

-28.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,090 $2,090

$5,358 $5,358

-61.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,120 $2,120

$2,141 $2,141

-0.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,565 $3,565

$4,849 $4,849

-26.49%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

6.06

7.26%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bethlehem, PA: September 5, 2026

Last update for Tampa, FL: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,566 in Bethlehem, PA versus $2,286 in Tampa, FL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 36% higher in Tampa, FL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Bethlehem, PA versus $75.0 in Tampa, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Bethlehem, PA vs $419 in Tampa, FL – so Tampa, FL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Bethlehem, PA vs Tampa, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,632 in Bethlehem, PA, $3,149 in Tampa, FL – roughly 20% apart. Tampa, FL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,949 per month in Bethlehem, PA and $4,723 in Tampa, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bethlehem, PA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Bethlehem, PA and $75.0 in Tampa, FL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Tampa, FL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,632 in Bethlehem, PA and $3,149 in Tampa, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Bethlehem, PA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,632 in Bethlehem, PA to $3,149 in Tampa, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Bethlehem, PA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tampa, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.