Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has an overall cost of living index of 98.9, which is 1.1 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,382 per month, while the typical home is valued around $260,400. Households earn a median of $68,879 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$68,879
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,382
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$260,400
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
98.9
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,130
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,341
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,634
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,087
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
98.9
Goods
98.2
Rents / Housing
98.9
Services
115.5
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $117,650 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $92,680 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $74,100 |
| ⚡Electrician | $73,210 |
| 📊Accountant | $84,670 |
| 🔧Plumber | $74,480 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $229,280 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $104,510 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $118,790 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $70,710 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $121,900 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $61,490 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $166,670 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
77,956
Latest estimate
Median Age
36.1 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,438
Per month
Avg Home Value
$289,567
Census ACS
January Avg
29°F
July Avg
75°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
32.1
poor
Hospitals
1
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
93.4%
What is the cost of living index for Bethlehem?
Bethlehem has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 98.9. The US national average is 100, so Bethlehem is 1.1 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Bethlehem?
The median gross rent in Bethlehem is $1,382 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Bethlehem?
The median household income in Bethlehem is $68,879 per year.
What is the median home value in Bethlehem?
The median home value in Bethlehem is $260,400 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Bethlehem?
Air quality data for Bethlehem is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Bethlehem?
Tax data for Pennsylvania is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
