May 2026 Market Refresh
Last updated: compiled June 2026 from May 2026 source data
| Redfin median sale price | $309,815 |
|---|---|
| Year over year | +8.36% |
| Median days on market | 8 median days on market |
| Homes sold | 156 homes sold |
| Zillow ZHVI | $360,333 |
Bethlehem PA Redfin median sale price: $309,815 (+8.36% YoY, May 2026). Bethlehem PA Zillow ZHVI: $360,333. Zillow source label: Zillow Research city ZHVI as of 2026-05-31. Source scope: Redfin Data Center city row, May 2026. Market data is background context only; property-specific value still depends on condition, title, occupancy, repairs, payoff, liens, and closing timeline.
Quick Answer: Bethlehem PA Housing Market 2026
According to Redfin (reviewed data period), Bethlehem's median home sale price is $311,000, up 13.1% year-over-year. The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for Bethlehem is $351,353 (+3.1% annually). Homes go pending in ~20 days and sell near list price (99.8% sale-to-list ratio, per Redfin) — a very competitive seller's market. Cash buyers typically offer 70–80% of fair market value, closing timeline depends on title, payoff, seller readiness, and local closing details without repairs, showings, or agent commissions.
Bethlehem PA Housing Market Report — 2026
Current market data for Bethlehem PA and Northampton County — median prices, days on market, neighborhood breakdown, and what the numbers mean for sellers.
Key Market Metrics — Bethlehem PA
| Avg home value (Zillow ZHVI) | $351,353 | reviewed data period |
| YoY change (Zillow) | +3.1% | reviewed data period |
| Median sale price (Redfin) | $311,000 | reviewed data period |
| YoY change (Redfin) | +13.1% | reviewed data period |
| Alternate median (Rocket Homes) | $330,774 | March 2025 |
| Price per sq ft | $177 | Redfin, reviewed data period |
| Median days on market | 20 days | Redfin, reviewed data period |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 99.8% | Redfin, reviewed data period |
| Redfin Compete Score | 90/100 — Very Competitive | Redfin, reviewed data period |
| Avg offers per listing | 5 offers | Redfin, reviewed data period |
| Hot homes sell in | ~6 days at ~4% above list | Redfin, reviewed data period |
| Transfer tax | 2.0% total (1% PA + 1% City) | City of Bethlehem Ordinance |
| Deed recording — first 4 pages | $75.25 | Northampton County Recorder |
| Owner-occupied rate | ~60.9% | Census data via BestNeighborhood.org |
| Renter-occupied rate | ~39.1% | Census data via BestNeighborhood.org |
Sources: Zillow (zillow.com/home-values/17008/bethlehem-pa/), Redfin (redfin.com/city/1616/PA/Bethlehem/housing-market), Rocket Homes, City of Bethlehem Ordinance Article 335, Northampton County Recorder of Deeds. Market data last updated: compiled June 2026 from May source data.
Bethlehem Neighborhood Price Breakdown
Bethlehem's market is not uniform. Prices vary significantly by neighborhood, reflecting the city's distinct character from the pre-war South Side row homes to the Moravian historic district on the North Side.
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Stock Type | Investor Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bethlehem (South Side) | ~$245,000 | Row homes & twins, 1890s–1930s | 🔴 Very High |
| Central Bethlehem | ~$300,000 | Victorian-era, brick row houses | 🟡 High |
| Northeast Bethlehem | ~$325,000 | Postwar ranch homes, 1950s–1980s | 🟡 Medium |
| Historic District / North Side | $380K–$450K+ | 18th–19th c. Moravian stone/brick | 🟢 Lower |
| Fountain Hill (adjacent borough) | ~$228,000 | Cape Cods, townhomes, twins | 🔴 High |
| West Side | $250K–$290,000 | Row homes, mid-century mix | 🟡 High |
| Bethlehem Township (adjacent) | $340K–$390,000 | Suburban single-family, 1970s–2000s | 🟢 Low |
Sources: Redfin neighborhood pages (South Bethlehem, Central Bethlehem, Northeast Bethlehem); Lehigh Valley Just Listed (Fountain Hill); BestNeighborhood.org. Data accessed reviewed data period.
What the Data Means for Bethlehem Sellers
Bethlehem's 90/100 Compete Score and 20-day median DOM reflect strong demand — but that demand is concentrated in move-in-ready properties. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 30.8% of Bethlehem's housing units are attached structures (row homes and twins), the majority built between 1890 and 1930 for Bethlehem Steel workers.
These homes — while often charming — frequently have deferred maintenance: original cast-iron plumbing, pre-1950 electrical, unreinforced masonry, and 100-year-old rooflines. A property in this condition typically requires $15,000-$40,000 in work before it competes for retail buyers. For owners who can't or don't want to front that cost, a cash sale at 70-80% of FMV is a rational choice.
The 13.1% year-over-year price increase (Redfin, reviewed data period) is also worth context: it reflects the Lehigh Valley's continued attraction to buyers from Philadelphia and the New York metro. That buyer pool wants turnkey, not project homes. Sellers with older properties or complicated situations are often better served by a direct cash sale than by competing for a narrower slice of the retail market.
Bethlehem PA Transfer Tax — The Full Breakdown
According to City of Bethlehem Ordinance Article 335, Bethlehem charges the standard Pennsylvania local transfer tax rate of 1%. Combined with the 1% Pennsylvania state realty transfer tax, the total is 2% of the sale price.
| Component | Rate | Who Pays | On $313.5K Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State RTT | 1.0% | Split 50/50 | $3,110 total |
| City of Bethlehem Local RTT | 1.0% | Split 50/50 | $3,110 total |
| TOTAL | 2.0% | Seller pays 1% | $6,220 total ($3,110 seller) |
When you sell to USA Home Buyers, we review seller-cost and closing-detail questions before you sign including transfer-tax allocation — final proceeds depend on the closing statement. Source: City of Bethlehem (bethlehem-pa.gov); PA Transfer Tax Deviation List confirmed Bethlehem is not a deviation municipality.
Northampton County Recording Fees
According to the Northampton County Recorder of Deeds (669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042), the recording fee schedule for real estate transactions includes:
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deed (first 4 pages) | $75.25 |
| Mortgage (first 4 pages) | $75.25 |
| Satisfaction of Mortgage | $60.75 |
| Assignment/Release of Mortgage | $60.75 |
| Pages over 4 | $2.00 each |
| Parcel Certification Fee | $10.00 per parcel |
Frequently Asked Questions — Bethlehem PA Housing Market
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May 2026 source-backed market snapshot
Bethlehem PA market data
- Redfin median sale price
- $309,815
- Redfin YoY
- +8.36%
- Median days on market
- 8 median days on market
- Homes sold
- 156 homes sold
- Zillow ZHVI
- $360,333
Bethlehem PA Redfin median sale price: $309,815 (+8.36% YoY, May 2026). Bethlehem PA Zillow ZHVI: $360,333. Zillow source label: Zillow Research city ZHVI as of 2026-05-31. Source scope: Redfin Data Center city row, May 2026. Market data is background context only, not a property-specific offer or value promise.