Side-by-side comparison of Bethlehem, PA and Cranberry Twp, PA — cap rates, rent, prices, and investment metrics.
Cash flow: Cranberry Twp has the edge with an estimated cap rate of 5.46% compared to Bethlehem's 3.57%. Neither city passes the 1% rule outright, so deal sourcing and value-add strategies become more important. Median home prices are $350,000 in Bethlehem vs $220,000 in Cranberry Twp, while rents come in at $1,770/mo and $1,450/mo respectively. For context, the national average cap rate is 3.81% and average price is $333K.
Growth & appreciation: Cranberry Twp is growing faster at 1.5% annually vs Bethlehem's 0.3%. Cranberry Twp leads on home value appreciation at 2.8% per year.
Costs & risk: Property taxes are 1.36% in Bethlehem vs 1.32% in Cranberry Twp. Vacancy rates of 5.5% and 4.2% are both healthy, suggesting strong tenant demand in both markets.
Entry point: Cranberry Twp offers a lower entry at $220K vs Bethlehem's $350K — a difference of $130K. With a 20% down payment, that's $44K vs $70K. Cranberry Twp combines the lower price with a higher cap rate — a compelling combination.
Bottom line: Cranberry Twp edges out Bethlehem on most key metrics. With a 5.46% cap rate, it offers solid cash flow potential. Use our free calculators to model specific deals in Bethlehem or Cranberry Twp.