Median rent is 20% lower in Bethlehem ($1,382/mo vs $1,738/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bethlehem, where the median home runs $260,400 versus $580,200. Households earn more in Cary ($134,905 vs $68,879 a year). Taken together, Cary is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 98.9 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cary, NC.
Quick verdict
Cary is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 98.4 in Cary vs 98.9 in Bethlehem (US average = 100)
City A
Bethlehem, PA
City B
Cary, NC
How much would you need to earn in Cary, NC to maintain your standard of living from Bethlehem, PA?
Equivalent salary in Cary, NC
$74,602
You could earn $398 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
Cary
North Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Bethlehem at $1,382/mo compared to $1,738/mo in Cary (20% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Cary: the median home is $580,200 versus $260,400 in Bethlehem — 55% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Bethlehem
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Cary
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Cary (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Bethlehem.
Pick Cary if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,905/yr).
Pick Bethlehem if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,382/mo median).
Is Bethlehem cheaper than Cary?
Cary is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 98.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Cary.
How much is rent in Bethlehem vs Cary?
Median rent is $1,382/mo in Bethlehem, PA and $1,738/mo in Cary, NC. Bethlehem, PA has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — Bethlehem or Cary?
Median household income is $68,879 in Bethlehem, PA and $134,905 in Cary, NC. Cary, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bethlehem or Cary?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Cary to match my Bethlehem income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bethlehem, PA is equivalent to roughly $99,469 in Cary, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
