salaryRent is higher than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $70,840 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 212 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bethlehem?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bethlehem
| Size | Bethlehem | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $629 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,252 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,658 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,818 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,910 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bethlehem overall?
Everyday prices in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bethlehem
Life in Bethlehem
What jobs pay in Bethlehem
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $138,390 | 15.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,890 | 15.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,680 | 16.4% |
| Lawyer | $126,160 | 16.8% |
| Software Developer | $122,930 | 17.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,440 | 21.0% |
| Operations Manager | $101,260 | 21.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,760 | 21.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,750 | 21.5% |
| Police Officer | $84,530 | 25.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,060 | 25.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,040 | 26.9% |
| Accountant | $78,430 | 27.1% |
| Firefighter | $73,020 | 29.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $67,740 | 31.4% |
| Electrician | $66,500 | 32.0% |
| Plumber | $64,940 | 32.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,050 | 33.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $63,130 | 33.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,090 | 35.4% |
| Carpenter | $59,540 | 35.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,400 | 46.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,360 | 47.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,160 | 48.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,380 | 50.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,120 | 57.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,630 | 61.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $32,310 | 65.8% |
| Cashier | $30,560 | 69.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bethlehem?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $36 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $260,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,040 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bethlehem, PA?
Renting in Bethlehem costs a median of about $1,771 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Bethlehem?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $70,840 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethlehem cheap or expensive?
Bethlehem is rated OK: rent takes 28.6% of the typical household income of $74,286. It ranks 212th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bethlehem?
The median homeowner in Bethlehem pays $4,268 a year in property taxes, about 1.64% of the median home value.
Is Bethlehem more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bethlehem?
The median home value in Bethlehem is $260,400, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
77,956 people live in Bethlehem. Numbers are typical (middle) values.