Residential comparison · 13 facts
Allentown, PA vs Bethlehem, PA
Compare the housing, tax, cost, income, safety, school, and climate facts that are available for both places. The table shows the numbers without declaring one city universally better.
A household earning $85,000 in Allentown needs about $85,000 in Bethlehem to keep the same lifestyle.
Coming from Bethlehem, $85,000 of lifestyle costs about $85,000 in Allentown.
A few differences
- Bethlehem is higher on median household income ($68,879 vs $55,494).
- Allentown is lower on cost of living index (90 vs 95).
- Allentown is lower on 2-bedroom rent ($1,366/mo vs $1,503/mo).
Allentown vs Bethlehem · facet by facet
| Facet | Allentown, PA | Bethlehem, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $206,600 | $260,400 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $1,366/mo | $1,503/mo |
| Property tax rate | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| State & local income tax | 4.57% | 4.57% |
| Sales tax | 6.34% | 6.34% |
| Cost of living index | 90 | 95 |
| Groceries index | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | $180/mo | $180/mo |
| Median household income | $55,494 | $68,879 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| Crime index | 40/100 | 40/100 |
| School rating | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 |
| Sunny days / year | 180 days | 180 days |
Data: Census ACS 2024 · BLS · Tax Foundation 2024 brackets · HUD/Zillow · NOAA 1991–2020 · FEMA NRI · Values are shown as reported; no universal winner is implied.
Full profiles: Allentown, PA · Bethlehem, PA
Questions & answers
- Is Allentown cheaper than Bethlehem?
- Allentown has the lower day-to-day cost index (90 vs 95 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.
- What household income in Bethlehem equals $85,000 in Allentown?
- A household earning $85,000 in Allentown needs about $85,000 in Bethlehem to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of Bethlehem lifestyle costs about $85,000 in Allentown.