Bethlehem, PA vs Williamsport, PA

The cost of living difference between Bethlehem, PA and Williamsport, PA is dramatic. Williamsport is 34.7% cheaper than Bethlehem, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bethlehem has a cost index of 94 while Williamsport 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 $825/month in Williamsport — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Williamsport is more affordable at $146,500 median vs $236,500.

Median household income in Bethlehem is $66,443 compared to $49,363 in Williamsport (+34.6%). The higher salaries in Bethlehem partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethlehem spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Williamsport.

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 43.5" in Williamsport.