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Cost of Living in Bethlehem, PA

Population 77,956 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,382
Median home value$260,400
Median household income$68,879

The median rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,382/month, 14% higher than the Pennsylvania median and 2% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $260,400, 22% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $68,879 a year, 12% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 24.1%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $55,280/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.8×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,317/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Bethlehem vs. Pennsylvania vs. U.S.

BethlehemPennsylvaniaU.S.
Median rent$1,382$1,209$1,413
Median home value$260,400$254,500$332,700
Median household income$68,879$77,971$80,734
Homeownership rate49.9%69.3%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher36.0%35.2%35.7%
Poverty rate15.7%11.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.6%5.3%5.2%
Work from home17.2%15.6%15.1%
Median age36.140.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Bethlehem, PA?

The median gross rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,382 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Bethlehem, PA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $55,280 a year in gross income.

Is Bethlehem, PA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 2% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.8 times the median household income.

Other cities in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PARent $1,397 · Income $61,953Pittsburgh, PARent $1,261 · Income $65,742Allentown, PARent $1,317 · Income $55,494Reading, PARent $1,067 · Income $44,091Erie, PARent $870 · Income $46,113Scranton, PARent $1,048 · Income $50,739

Cities with a similar cost of living

Ashland, ORRent $1,387 · Income $68,028East Point, GARent $1,364 · Income $68,598Greeley, CORent $1,388 · Income $69,881Casa Grande, AZRent $1,386 · Income $69,983Laplace, LARent $1,351 · Income $69,030Redding, CARent $1,379 · Income $70,466

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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