Bethlehem

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Bethlehem, PA

Area Guide

This historic town with industrial roots honors its past with modern-day amenities and more

Historic College Town Walkable Artistic Museums Entertainment

Welcome to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, known as "Christmas City USA." This historic community combines preserved colonial architecture with contemporary living options. The city's downtown showcases 18th-century Moravian buildings alongside newer residential developments and retail districts. One-bedroom apartments currently average $1,634 monthly, with a 3.9% year-over-year increase. Housing options range from historic row houses in the Central Historic District to apartments near Lehigh University's South Mountain campus. Notable areas include the SouthSide district with its thriving arts scene, the historic North Side, and the West Side in Lehigh County.

Bethlehem's heritage as a colonial Moravian settlement and former steel-manufacturing center shapes its present-day character. The SteelStacks arts campus, constructed on the former Bethlehem Steel site, hosts community events throughout the year, including Musikfest. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore 39 park sites across 568 acres, with paths along Monocacy Creek and the Lehigh River. The city is home to both Lehigh University and Moravian University, while the Wind Creek Bethlehem resort adds to the entertainment landscape. The city's Christmas connection dates to 1747 when residents displayed America's first decorated Christmas tree, establishing a holiday tradition that continues today.

Rent Trends

As of January 2026, the average apartment rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,481 for a studio, $1,629 for one bedroom, $1,916 for two bedrooms, and $2,038 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bethlehem has decreased by -0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,629/month
719 Sq Ft
House
$2,145/month
1,317 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,240/month
1,395 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bethlehem, PA

Transportation

56

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

23

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

43

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Southern Lehigh Intermediate School

Public

Grades 4-6

692 Students

Hanover Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

226 Students

Miller Heights Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

340 Students

Asa Packer Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

339 Students

Lincoln Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

319 Students

Nitschmann Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

781 Students

East Hills Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,047 Students

Broughal Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

500 Students

Northeast Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

725 Students

Freedom High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,753 Students

Liberty High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,640 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Lost River Caverns
  • Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
  • Flint Hill Farm Educational Center
  • Da Vinci Science Center
  • Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary

Airports

  • Lehigh Valley International

Top Apartments in Bethlehem

Houses for Rent in Bethlehem

Property Management Companies in Bethlehem, PA

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.