Bethlehem, PA vs Wilkes-Barre, PA

The cost of living difference between Bethlehem, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA is dramatic. Wilkes-Barre is 33.9% cheaper than Bethlehem, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bethlehem has a cost index of 94 while Wilkes-Barre sits at 70, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bethlehem is $1,311/month compared to $939/month in Wilkes-Barre — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wilkes-Barre is more affordable at $108,000 median vs $236,500.

Median household income in Bethlehem is $66,443 compared to $47,970 in Wilkes-Barre (+38.5%). 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, more than the 23.5% in Wilkes-Barre.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.1°F vs 51.3°F). Bethlehem receives more rainfall at 47.4" per year compared to 38.7" in Wilkes-Barre.