Cost of Living in Bethlehem, NC
Population 3,928 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Bethlehem a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $291,000. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Bethlehem is about 50 miles northwest of Concord, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Concord's $328,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bethlehem
The median home value in Bethlehem is $290,600 — 5% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $737/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,963/year is 6% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 69.1°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Bethlehem has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.
Bethlehem has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 49 | 53 | 61 | 70 | 77 | 84 | 87 | 86 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 52 |
| Low °F | 30 | 33 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 68 | 67 | 61 | 49 | 39 | 33 |
| Precip" | 3.81 | 3.21 | 4.08 | 4.08 | 3.86 | 4.35 | 4.29 | 4.58 | 3.93 | 3.49 | 3.62 | 3.85 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bethlehem, NC?
Bethlehem has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.
What is average rent in Bethlehem, NC?
The median gross rent in Bethlehem is $737 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bethlehem?
The median home value in Bethlehem is $290,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Bethlehem?
The median household income in Bethlehem is $78,963 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bethlehem, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bethlehem is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Bethlehem, NC affordable?
Yes, Bethlehem is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Bethlehem?
Bethlehem has average high temperatures of 69.1°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 47.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Bethlehem at a Glance
- Population
- 3,928
- Median Income
- $78,963
- Home Value
- $290,600
- Median Rent
- $737/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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