Bethlehem

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Bethlehem, PA

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This historic town with industrial roots honors its past with modern-day amenities and more

Historic College Town Walkable Artistic Museums Entertainment

Resting an hour and a half north of Philadelphia, Bethlehem is located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, steeped in rich industrial and colonial history. It’s endured a revitalization over the years, but its surge in popularity hasn’t hampered its old-city charm. While Bethlehem may be under 20 square miles, there is a ton to discover. Experience the city’s beginnings in the historic downtown district, which houses several museums and landmarks. Spend a day learning about mills, wash house, and other structures in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, or the town’s role in the steel industry at the National Museum of Industrial History. After your history lesson, visit some of the specialty shops, galleries, and local eateries in the downtown area.

If you’re an art lover, you’ll fit right in because this quaint town is home to a vibrant visual and performing arts scene, with several spaces dedicated to artistic expression. The Banana Factory Arts and Education Center is a former banana warehouse turned arts center that houses exhibitions, classrooms, and studios. Steelstacks along the Lehigh River is an absolute must-see and local favorite. Located on the former plant of Bethlehem Steel, the second largest manufacturer in the United States, this 10-acre campus has been dedicated to culture, arts, music, and community celebrations. Steelstacks hosts over 1,000 concerts and eight festivals annually alongside towering blast furnaces used to make iron for decades.

Along with a colorful arts scene, Bethlehem is the perfect location for those attending class or work at one of the area’s three colleges: Lehigh University, Mountaintop, and Murray H. Goodman Campus. The airport is just a few minutes out from Bethlehem, and the area’s walkability to the colleges make it the ideal location for students, staff, and professors to live. Outdoor enthusiasts residing here will find plenty of hiking, biking, and walking trails among the town’s various parks as well. With all of these wonderful amenities and more, Bethlehem boasts a charming, old-fashioned yet modern vibe perfect for your next apartment or house.

Rent Trends

As of April 2025, the average apartment rent in Bethlehem, PA is $1,351 for a studio, $1,634 for one bedroom, $1,879 for two bedrooms, and $1,988 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bethlehem has increased by 2.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,634/month
716 Sq Ft
House
$2,253/month
1,246 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,661/month
1,629 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bethlehem, PA

Transportation

56

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

23

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

43

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Southern Lehigh Intermediate School

Public

Grades 4-6

692 Students

8
out of 10

Hanover Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

226 Students

7
out of 10

Miller Heights Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

340 Students

6
out of 10

Governor Wolf Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

459 Students

5
out of 10

Asa Packer Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

339 Students

5
out of 10

East Hills Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,047 Students

4
out of 10

Nitschmann Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

781 Students

4
out of 10

Northeast Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

725 Students

3
out of 10

Broughal Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

500 Students

3
out of 10

Freedom High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,753 Students

3
out of 10

Liberty High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,640 Students

2
out of 10

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

Airports

  • Lehigh Valley International

Top Apartments in Bethlehem

Houses for Rent in Bethlehem

Property Management Companies in Bethlehem, PA

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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 2025.