Mortgage Calculator & Closing Costs: Bethlehem, PA
Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Median Home Price
$265K
Population
76K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,280
Property Tax Rate
1.36% *
* Property tax shown is the Pennsylvania state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem vs Pennsylvania Median
The median home price in Bethlehem is $265,000, which is 5% below the Pennsylvania state median of $280,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Bethlehem, PA
Pre-filled with Bethlehem median home price and Pennsylvania tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $265K home using Pennsylvania's 1.36% tax rate and $1,400/yr insurance.
5% Down
$2,155/mo
Down: $13,250
Loan: $252K
P&I: $1,591
Tax: $300
Insurance: $117
PMI: $147
10% Down
$2,064/mo
Down: $26,500
Loan: $239K
P&I: $1,507
Tax: $300
Insurance: $117
PMI: $139
20% Down (No PMI)
$1,757/mo
Down: $53,000
Loan: $212K
P&I: $1,340
Tax: $300
Insurance: $117
Income needed (28% rule): $75K/year with 20% down, $88K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Bethlehem
Rent
$1,280/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$2,064/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 17.3 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in Bethlehem depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in Bethlehem is $265,000, 5% below the Pennsylvania state median of $280,000. With a population of 75,781, Bethlehem is a smaller market where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Pennsylvania.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania average 1.36% annually. This moderate property tax rate means a $265,000 home in Bethlehem would carry roughly $300/month in property taxes. Homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania runs approximately $1,400 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in Bethlehem is $1,280/month. The price-to-rent ratio in Bethlehem is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
Bethlehem presents moderate affordability. The $265K median puts homeownership within reach for median-income households, though down payment savings and closing costs require planning.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Bethlehem.