Rents are 5% below what Bethlehem's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,887 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Bethlehem, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 36% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bethlehem, PA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Bethlehem, PA has shifted from $1,437 to $1,887, up 31.3% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $58,232 to $68,879 across the same window, up 18.3% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Bethlehem, PA adding about 2,357 residents over the five-year window, up 3.1% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 32.2% to 36% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Bethlehem, PA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Bethlehem
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Can you afford rent in Bethlehem on your salary?
At $1,887/mo, how Bethlehem rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bethlehem rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bethlehem. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bethlehem
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Bethlehem is $1,887/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,117/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,310/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,080/mo.
At 33% of local median household income ($68,879/yr), Bethlehem ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bethlehem an affordable city for renters?
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Which Bethlehem neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Bethlehem residents rent vs. own?
How does Bethlehem rent compare to the national average?
At $1,887/mo, rent takes ~33% of Bethlehem's median household income ($68,879/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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