City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Williamsport
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Williamsport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williamsport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
89% higher than Williamsport's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Williamsport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $950 | +89% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $227 | $175 | +30% |
| Transport | $60 | $110 | -45% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,787 | $1,845 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Williamsport offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Williamsport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bethlehem is estimated at
$55,000 vs $42,000 in Williamsport.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Williamsport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,276 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,869 idx | 60,465 idx |
| Household Income | $68,879 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Williamsport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 22.70°F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | 39.40 in | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 236 |
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Williamsport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Bethlehem.
Williamsport scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Williamsport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Williamsport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Williamsport.
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 | Williamsport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,563 | 27,481 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | — |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.80% |
| 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.
Williamsport
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly below the national average per US Census Bureau data.
World-famous birthplace of Little League Baseball, offering unique cultural events and community pride.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including the Susquehanna River and nearby state forests.
Strong local healthcare sector anchored by UPMC Williamsport providing comprehensive medical services.
Rich Victorian architectural heritage and a vibrant downtown arts and dining scene.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails behind the broader national and state averages per Census estimates.
Public transit options are limited outside the primary fixed-bus routes, requiring high car dependency.
Limited high-paying corporate or tech sector job growth compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for winter weather conditions.
Gradual population stagnation over recent decades impacting broader municipal tax revenue.
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
Williamsport
#417Pennsylvania, USA
57.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
73
Business
64
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