City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
27% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,412 | +27% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $227 | $281 | -19% |
| Transport | $60 | $126 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $135 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $2,787 | $2,404 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bethlehem is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,276 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,869 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $68,879 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bethlehem runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bethlehem has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Bethlehem.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,563 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bethlehem
Advantages
Bethlehem's population is projected to grow by 1.15% annually in 2026, indicating a growing and dynamic community.
The median household income in Bethlehem was $68,879 in 2024, showing a 3.67% one-year growth.
The average rent in Bethlehem is 5% below the national average as of September 2026, making it a more affordable place to live.
The median property value in Bethlehem increased by 10.1% in 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market for homeowners.
The cost of home care in Bethlehem is approximately 16% lower than the Pennsylvania average and 22% lower than the national average as of September 2026.
Drawbacks
The poverty rate in Bethlehem was 15.69% in 2026.
While rent is generally affordable, it has increased by 3.4% in the past year as of September 2026.
The median individual income in Bethlehem was $36,225 in 2024, which is lower than the median household income.
Home prices fell about 2.4% a year between 2015 and 2024, an unusual pattern compared to rising rents.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem grew by 5.37% between 2023 and 2024.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bethlehem
#59Pennsylvania, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dallas
#62Texas, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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