Median rent is 7% lower in Easton ($1,223/mo vs $1,311/mo). Buying is cheaper in Easton, where the median home runs $169,200 versus $236,500. Households earn more in Bethlehem ($66,443 vs $63,775 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.1).
City A
Bethlehem, PA
City B
Easton, PA
How much would you need to earn in Easton, PA to maintain your standard of living from Bethlehem, PA?
Equivalent salary in Easton, PA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
Easton
Pennsylvania
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Easton at $1,223/mo compared to $1,311/mo in Bethlehem (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Bethlehem: the median home is $236,500 versus $169,200 in Easton — 28% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Pennsylvania's top income tax rate is 3.07% versus 3.07% in Pennsylvania, so Easton is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Pennsylvania and 6.00% in Pennsylvania; Easton has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bethlehem
Income tax: 3.07%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Easton
Income tax: 3.07%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Is Bethlehem cheaper than Easton?
Bethlehem is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bethlehem.
How much is rent in Bethlehem vs Easton?
Median rent is $1,311/mo in Bethlehem, PA and $1,223/mo in Easton, PA. Easton, PA has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Bethlehem or Easton?
Median household income is $66,443 in Bethlehem, PA and $63,775 in Easton, PA. Bethlehem, PA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bethlehem or Easton?
Pennsylvania's top income tax rate is 3.07% and Pennsylvania's is 3.07%. Easton, PA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Easton to match my Bethlehem income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bethlehem, PA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Easton, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology