How much does it cost to rent in Bethlehem, PA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,916. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Bethlehem cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?

Bethlehem is one of the pricier cities in Pennsylvania, ranking #51 out of 167 cities tracked at $1,916/mo.

When was Bethlehem rent data last updated?

Bethlehem rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · PA

Bethlehem

Name: Average Rent Prices in Bethlehem, PA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 77,956·51st most expensive in Pennsylvania·Bethlehem rents are up 8.9% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,916/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$49

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Bethlehem · $1,916

More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

57/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Bethlehem's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,916/mo

Expected by trend

$1,986/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bethlehem's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,117

1 BR

$1,310

2 BR

$1,630

3 BR

$2,080

4 BR+

$2,167

Research median

$1,630/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,992/yr

At $1,916/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.9% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

77,956

Median income

$68,879

Median age

36.1

Renters

50.1%

Age distribution

17.2%

31.4%

22.3%

18.9%

Under 1817.2%

18–3431.4%

35–5422.3%

55–6410.2%

65+18.9%

Gender

48.3%

51.7%

Male48.3%

Female51.7%

Race & ethnicity

60.5%

28.7%

White60.5%

Black8.8%

Hispanic28.7%

Asian2.8%

Education (25+)

28%

26.7%

36%

No HS diploma9.3%

HS diploma28%

Some college26.7%

Bachelor's+36%

Housing tenure

49.9%

50.1%

Owner49.9%

Renter50.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bethlehem, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,437 → $1,916

up 33.3%

Income

$58,232 → $68,879

up 18.3%

Population

75,599 → 77,956

up 3.1%

Renter share

49.6% → 50.1%

+0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

32.2% → 36%

+3.8 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Bethlehem, PA has shifted from $1,437 to $1,916, up 33.3% 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.

Community

Discussions about Bethlehem

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View Bethlehem rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bethlehem on your salary?

At $1,916/mo, how Bethlehem rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 24.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 30.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 16.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 37% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 41% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 33.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Bethlehem rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bethlehem. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bethlehem

About renting in Bethlehem, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bethlehem is $1,916/mo as of July 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 8.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bethlehem an affordable city for renters?

Bethlehem is considered moderate for renters. At $1,916/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($68,879/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bethlehem slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Bethlehem?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,916/mo in Bethlehem. The local median household income is $68,879/yr, meaning the typical Bethlehem household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bethlehem?

Rent in Bethlehem has increased 8.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Bethlehem neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bethlehem are 18015 ($1,691/mo), 18018 ($1,842/mo), and 18017 ($2,135/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bethlehem is $1,916/mo.

How does Bethlehem rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Bethlehem is one of the pricier cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #51 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,916/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bethlehem?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bethlehem ($1,916/mo): Allentown ($1,732/mo), Northampton ($1,812/mo), Whitehall ($1,891/mo).

What percentage of Bethlehem residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.1% of Bethlehem households are renters, while 49.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Bethlehem has a strong rental market.

How does Bethlehem rent compare to the national average?

Bethlehem's median rent of $1,916/mo is $49 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #51 out of 167 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,916/mo, rent takes ~33% of Bethlehem's median household income ($68,879/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bethlehem 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.07%

Run the Bethlehem affordability calculator →

Nearby cities