Cost of Living: Bethlehem, PA vs Harrisburg, PA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,337/mo in Bethlehem, PA versus $4,337/mo in Harrisburg, PA. In the model, rent is about 19.1% of gross in Bethlehem, PA versus 14.52% in Harrisburg, PA, so Harrisburg, PA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Bethlehem, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: near
Take-home in Harrisburg, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: above
Rent share (1BR) in Bethlehem, PA
19.1%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Harrisburg, PA
14.52%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Bethlehem, PA and Harrisburg, PA.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Harrisburg, PA
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Harrisburg, PA
  • Lower home prices: Harrisburg, PA
  • Higher median household income: Bethlehem, PA

Cost of Living Index

Bethlehem, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Harrisburg, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Bethlehem, PA: $1,246/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Harrisburg, PA: $947/mo

Median rent in Bethlehem, PA is $299/mo higher than in Harrisburg, PA.

Median Home Price

Bethlehem, PA: $236,500 · Harrisburg, PA: $121,000

Median home price in Bethlehem, PA is $115,500 higher than in Harrisburg, PA.

Median Household Income

Bethlehem, PA: $66,443 · Harrisburg, PA: $47,783

Bethlehem, PA has a higher median household income than Harrisburg, PA by $18,660.

Bethlehem, PA overview · Harrisburg, PA overview · Popular comparisons