Bethlehem, PA vs Norristown, PA

Bethlehem, PA and Norristown, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Bethlehem scores 94 while Norristown scores 93 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bethlehem is $1,311/month compared to $1,337/month in Norristown — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bethlehem has cheaper rent, Norristown actually has lower median home values ($205,100 vs $236,500).

Median household income in Bethlehem is $66,443 compared to $65,058 in Norristown (+2.1%). While Bethlehem is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethlehem spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.7% in Norristown.