Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
18%
Bethlehem, PA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,696
Population
78,035
Renter Mix
51% Rent
This historic town with industrial roots honors its past with modern-day amenities and more
Historic
•
College Town
•
Walkable
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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$62,523
Average: $81,855
Education
21,157
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
36,724
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
In Bethlehem, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.
Renters
51%
Non-Renters
49%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
22%
Other Education
78%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,537 for a studio, $1,696 for one bedroom, $1,960 for two bedrooms, and $2,103 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bethlehem has increased by 2.9% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,696/month
725 Sq Ft
House
$2,485/month
1,467 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,949/month
1,067 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Bethlehem, PA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
70
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Fairly Drivable
Drivability
40
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Southern Lehigh Intermediate School
Public
Grades K-5
692 Students
Public
Grades K-5
226 Students
Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Cs
Public
Grades K-12
1,795 Students
Public
Grades K-5
340 Students
Public
Grades K-5
339 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
781 Students
Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Cs
Public
Grades K-12
1,795 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,047 Students
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
Public
Grades 9-12
1,753 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,640 Students
Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School
Public
Grades 9-12
14 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
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
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Lehigh Valley International
Top Apartments in Bethlehem
Houses for Rent in Bethlehem
Property Management Companies in Bethlehem, PA
Kriegman & Smith
-
48
Communities
-
5,514
Units
-
34
Cities
7 Communities in Bethlehem
AION Partners
-
52
Communities
-
18,489
Units
-
37
Cities
2 Communities in Bethlehem
Altman Management Company
-
48
Communities
-
9,062
Units
-
30
Cities
2 Communities in Bethlehem
RP Management
-
25
Communities
-
4,473
Units
-
19
Cities
2 Communities in Bethlehem
Halfpenny Management Company
-
21
Communities
-
1,458
Units
-
14
Cities
2 Communities in Bethlehem
Morgan Properties
-
390
Communities
-
108,239
Units
-
237
Cities
1 Community in Bethlehem
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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.