Bethlehem

Picturesque creeks wind through many residential areas of 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 April 2026, the average apartment rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,560 for a studio, $1,699 for one bedroom, $1,952 for two bedrooms, and $2,090 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bethlehem has increased by 3.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,699/month
724 Sq Ft
House
$2,440/month
1,551 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,362/month
1,659 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bethlehem, PA

Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

70 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Fairly Drivable

Drivability

40 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

60 / 100

Schools

Southern Lehigh Intermediate School

Public

Grades K-5

692 Students

Hanover El School

Public

Grades K-5

226 Students

Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Cs

Public

Grades K-12

1,795 Students

Miller Heights El School

Public

Grades K-5

340 Students

Asa Packer El School

Public

Grades K-5

339 Students

Nitschmann Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

781 Students

Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Cs

Public

Grades K-12

1,795 Students

East Hills Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,047 Students

Broughal Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

500 Students

Lehigh Valley Dual Language Charter School

Public

Grades K-8

456 Students

Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts

Public

Grades 9-12

563 Students

Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Cs

Public

Grades K-12

1,795 Students

Freedom High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,753 Students

Liberty High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,640 Students

Bethlehem Avts

Public

Grades 9-12

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 February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.