Living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bethlehem · Census data 2020–2024
Bethlehem has 77,956 residents with a median age of 36.1. The median household income is $68,879 (12% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $260,400, the median rent is $1,382/month.
Bethlehem at a glance
- Population
- 77,956
- Median age
- 36.1State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $68,879State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $260,400State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,382/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 49.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Bethlehem a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Pennsylvania median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Bethlehem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bethlehem the median home value is $260,400, 22% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,382 per month, which is 31.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,721 a month in housing costs.
Bethlehem median household income
The median household income in Bethlehem is $68,879 and the income per person is $41,031. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Bethlehem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 32,348
- Owner-occupied
- 49.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.1%
- Vacant
- 4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.30
Bethlehem demographics
- Population
- 77,956
- Median age
- 36.1
- Under 18
- 17.2%
- 65 and older
- 18.9%
- Households
- 31,052
- Foreign-born
- 10%
- Veterans
- 5.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bethlehem ›
Education in Bethlehem
36% of adults 25 and older in Bethlehem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 14.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bethlehem
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 17.2%
- Drive alone
- 66.8%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 3.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.5%
Bethlehem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | 77,956 | $68,879 | $260,400 | $1,382 |
| Freemansburg | 2,894 | $88,750 | $225,600 | $2,148 |
| Fountain Hill | 4,834 | $64,107 | $246,700 | $1,275 |
| Middletown | 7,628 | $97,607 | $322,000 | $1,545 |
| Hanover | 11,701 | $107,458 | $425,900 | $1,772 |
| Hellertown | 6,118 | $72,813 | $256,200 | $1,372 |
| Salisbury | 13,677 | $101,299 | $344,700 | $1,502 |
| Lower Saucon | 11,089 | $124,892 | $396,200 | $1,512 |
| Hanover | 1,866 | $55,652 | $150,800 | $1,543 |
More for people moving to Bethlehem
Bethlehem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bethlehem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bethlehem, PA?
The median household income in Bethlehem is $68,879, 12% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bethlehem?
The median home value in Bethlehem is $260,400, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Bethlehem?
The median gross rent in Bethlehem is $1,382 per month, about 31.1% of household income.
Is Bethlehem, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Pennsylvania median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
What is the median age in Bethlehem?
The median age in Bethlehem is 36.1 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Bethlehem?
The average commute to work in Bethlehem is 22 minutes; 17.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bethlehem?
The unemployment rate in Bethlehem is 6.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bethlehem?
36% of adults in Bethlehem have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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