Retiring in Bethlehem, PA

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

84°/24°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$360,333

Housing (Typical Value)

209.6

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

Is Bethlehem Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 77,069, Bethlehem offers a smaller-city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower violent crime
Lower property crime
Moderate city size
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Wet climate
Elevated riverine flooding risk

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 84°F. The reported violent crime rate is 209.6 per 100,000, 42% below the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 1419.3 per 100,000, 19% below the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to wildfire and earthquake.

Potential tradeoffs. Annual precipitation is 47.4 inches. FEMA and NOAA assign an elevated risk designation to riverine flooding.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)84°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)24°F

Annual snowfall33.1"

Annual precipitation47.4"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$360,333near the US median of $371,774

Median gross rent$1,311/monear the US median of $1,400/mo

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate209.6 /100,00042% below the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate1419.3 /100,00019% below the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate146.5 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalSt Lukes University Hospital - Bethlehem (1.4 mi)

Hospital qualityNot Rated (CMS)

Primary care accessStrong (1,240 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index14.6/20 (Above Average)

Population & City Size

Population77,069Classified as a smaller city

Elevation345 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively High

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively Moderate

HurricaneRelatively Moderate

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Low

Ice stormsRelatively Moderate

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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