Bethlehem, PA vs Plum, PA

Plum is moderately more affordable than Bethlehem, with a 8.9% lower cost of living index. Bethlehem scores 94 compared to 86 for Plum, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bethlehem can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bethlehem is $1,311/month compared to $1,156/month in Plum — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Plum is more affordable at $218,600 median vs $236,500.

Median household income in Bethlehem is $66,443 compared to $98,475 in Plum (-32.5%). Plum offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethlehem spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Plum.