Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Cost of living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Northampton County, PA

Part of the Allentown Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,318/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 315,927 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,213 37%
Federal tax $587 18%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $341 10%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $205 6%
State tax $117 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Bethlehem

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,033
per month
1 bedroom
$1,213
per month
2 bedroom
$1,507
per month
3 bedroom
$1,924
per month
4 bedroom
$2,005
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Bethlehem

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$86,687
per year
Individual earnings
$45,920
per year
Per capita
$44,837
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Bethlehem

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$285,000
Annual property tax
$4,710

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Bethlehem

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Bethlehem

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Bethlehem

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Bethlehem

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.3 min
Drive alone
76.0%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
12.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Bethlehem

What it costs to live in Bethlehem each month.

Single person
$3,318
per month
  • Rent $1,213
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $587
  • State tax $117
Couple
$4,978
per month
  • Rent $1,507
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,089
  • State tax $222
Family
$7,545
per month
  • Rent $1,924
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,089
  • State tax $222

Frequently asked questions about Bethlehem

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Bethlehem?

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,213 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,507 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,924 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Bethlehem?

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the average household income is $86,687 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $45,920 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Bethlehem?

The estimated cost of living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is approximately $3,318 per month for a single person, $4,978 for a couple, $7,545 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Bethlehem?

The combined sales tax rate in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is Bethlehem an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania would need approximately $3,318 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $86,687 per year ($7,224 per month). Bethlehem is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Bethlehem?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Bethlehem?

The average home value in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is $285,000, with average annual property taxes of $4,710, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Bethlehem compare to other areas?

You can compare Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Bethlehem is in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare Bethlehem with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources