City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Bethlehem
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Bethlehem
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bethlehem is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
64% lower than in Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
75% lower than Bethlehem's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Bethlehem | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,800 | -75% |
| Groceries | $250 | $450 | -44% |
| Utilities | $110 | $227 | -52% |
| Transport | $80 | $60 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,010 | $2,787 | -64% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bethlehem offers 72% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bethlehem delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bethlehem is estimated at
$11,000 vs $55,000 in Bethlehem.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,111 idx | 51,869 idx |
| Household Income | $16,800 | $68,879 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bethlehem runs warmer on average — a 5.6°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 17.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.80°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 61.10°F | 82.90°F |
| Winter Low | 57.60°F | 22.70°F |
| Rainfall | 35.10 in | 39.40 in |
| Snowfall | 0.30 in | 18.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 249 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Bethlehem scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bethlehem leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Bethlehem.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bethlehem has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,000 | 80,563 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.15% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 33.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bethlehem
Advantages
Housing and rental costs are significantly lower than South Africa's major metropolitan areas per Numbeo and local property data.
Strategic location along major transport corridors like the N5 highway facilitates regional connectivity.
Proximity to scenic natural attractions including the eastern Free State highlands and Golden Gate National Park.
A strong agricultural and commercial base providing stable local economic support.
Lower traffic congestion and a quieter, family-oriented pace of life compared to big cities.
Drawbacks
National challenges with municipal service delivery and infrastructure maintenance impact local operations.
Limited high-tech and corporate job diversification outside of agriculture, retail, and public administration.
Higher reliance on personal vehicles due to limited formalized public transit options.
Susceptibility to broader national economic pressures and high regional unemployment rates.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
Bethlehem
Advantages
Bethlehem's population is projected to grow by 1.15% annually in 2026, indicating a growing and dynamic community.
The median household income in Bethlehem was $68,879 in 2024, showing a 3.67% one-year growth.
The average rent in Bethlehem is 5% below the national average as of September 2026, making it a more affordable place to live.
The median property value in Bethlehem increased by 10.1% in 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market for homeowners.
The cost of home care in Bethlehem is approximately 16% lower than the Pennsylvania average and 22% lower than the national average as of September 2026.
Drawbacks
The poverty rate in Bethlehem was 15.69% in 2026.
While rent is generally affordable, it has increased by 3.4% in the past year as of September 2026.
The median individual income in Bethlehem was $36,225 in 2024, which is lower than the median household income.
Home prices fell about 2.4% a year between 2015 and 2024, an unusual pattern compared to rising rents.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem grew by 5.37% between 2023 and 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bethlehem
#19Free State, South Africa
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
58.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
33.50%
Livability
68
Business
55
Bethlehem
#295Pennsylvania, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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