City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Easton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Easton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Easton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
15% higher than Easton's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Easton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,570 | +15% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $227 | $200 | +14% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,787 | $2,490 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bethlehem offers 9% higher 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
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Easton.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,276 | $45,400 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,869 idx | 48,298 idx |
| Household Income | $68,879 | $69,348 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Easton sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 53.00°F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | 82.70°F |
| Winter Low | 22.70°F | 22.40°F |
| Rainfall | 39.40 in | 38.30 in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | 19.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 249 |
| Humidity | % | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bethlehem has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Easton.
Easton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Easton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | — | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 67.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Easton.
From a growth perspective, Easton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Easton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,563 | 29,739 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 1.90% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Easton
Advantages
Easton boasts a Walk Score of 67, making it 'Somewhat Walkable' with some errands achievable on foot.
The city offers a diverse job market with leading industries including Education and Health Care and Social Services.
Housing prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, with a median home price of approximately $221,000.
Easton has a rich historical background and a vibrant downtown area with cultural attractions and dining options.
The violent crime rate is reported to be significantly lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are reported to be above the national average by some sources, with a safety grade of C-.
Public transportation is described as 'some transit,' suggesting a moderate level of service.
There is a discrepancy in cost of living data, with some sources indicating it is higher than the national average.
Specific industry growth rates and detailed unemployment data for Easton are not readily available in the provided search results.
Humidity levels can be high, especially during summer months, potentially making temperatures feel warmer.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Easton
#427Pennsylvania, USA
56.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,570
Avg Salary
$45,400
Cost Index
94
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
67.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
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