Cost of Living: Bethlehem, PA vs Plum borough, 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 Plum borough, PA. In the model, rent is about 19.1% of gross in Bethlehem, PA versus 16.85% in Plum borough, PA, so Plum borough, PA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Bethlehem, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: near
Take-home in Plum borough, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: below
Rent share (1BR) in Bethlehem, PA
19.1%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Plum borough, PA
16.85%
COLI tier: mid-range

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

At a glance

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

Cost of Living Index

Bethlehem, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Plum borough, 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) · Plum borough, PA: $1,099/mo

Median rent in Bethlehem, PA is $147/mo higher than in Plum borough, PA.

Median Home Price

Bethlehem, PA: $236,500 · Plum borough, PA: $218,600

Median home price in Bethlehem, PA is $17,900 higher than in Plum borough, PA.

Median Household Income

Bethlehem, PA: $66,443 · Plum borough, PA: $98,475

Plum borough, PA has a higher median household income than Bethlehem, PA by $32,032.

Bethlehem, PA overview · Plum borough, PA overview · Popular comparisons