| Index | Bethel | Connecticut | National |
| Cost of living | 124 | 118 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Housing | 159 | 139 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 107 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 110 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 116 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Bethel? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Bethel stands at 124, making it 24% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Bethel is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Bethel falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Bethel cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 59.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Wondering if Bethel is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Bethel, for example, the median home price is 71% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 32.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bethel boasting a median household income of $95,863, which is 17.9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Bethel, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.35%, and the income tax rates commence at 3%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Bethel, healthcare costs are 10.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Bethel shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $129,546 | $10,796 | $3,023 | $3,887 |
| Renters | $63,006 | $5,251 | $1,470 | $1,890 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Connecticut | 3% | 6.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cannondale, CT | 456 | 109 | 9.3% |
| Watchtower, NY | 2,176 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Copake Hamlet, NY | 164 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 149,398 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Heritage Village, CT | 4,620 | 109 | 9.2% |
| Bethel, CT | 11,219 | 124 | 23.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| North Logan, UT | 11,218 | 117 | 17.0% |
| Shiloh, PA | 11,217 | 102 | 2.3% |
| Farmersville, CA | 11,216 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Tega Cay, SC | 11,216 | 129 | 29.3% |
| River Forest, IL | 11,215 | 152 | 51.7% |
| Bethel, CT | 11,219 | 124 | 23.9% |
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