Cost of Living: State College borough, PA vs Bethlehem, PA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,337/mo in State College borough, PA versus $4,337/mo in Bethlehem, PA. In the model, rent is about 17.91% of gross in State College borough, PA versus 19.1% in Bethlehem, PA, so State College borough, PA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in State College borough, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Bethlehem, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: near
Rent share (1BR) in State College borough, PA
17.91%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Bethlehem, PA
19.1%
COLI tier: mid-range

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

At a glance

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

Cost of Living Index

State College borough, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Bethlehem, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100)

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

Median Rent

State College borough, PA: $1,168/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Bethlehem, PA: $1,246/mo

Median rent in Bethlehem, PA is $78/mo higher than in State College borough, PA.

Median Home Price

State College borough, PA: $414,400 · Bethlehem, PA: $236,500

Median home price in State College borough, PA is $177,900 higher than in Bethlehem, PA.

Median Household Income

State College borough, PA: $47,132 · Bethlehem, PA: $66,443

Bethlehem, PA has a higher median household income than State College borough, PA by $19,311.

State College borough, PA overview · Bethlehem, PA overview · Popular comparisons