BETHLEHEM, Pa. — How ‘mobile’ are Lehigh Valley renters?
As it turns out, not very.
A high number of area renters currently are choosing to stay right where they are, according to new data from RentCafe.
The online platform, which connects renters with rental properties and offers management services to property owners, said just 28% of Lehigh Valley renters move to a different apartment within two years.
Overall, mobility — renters moving place to place — dropped 23.2% from 2018 to 2023, putting the Lehigh Valley at No. 104 out of 105 of America’s Move-Easy Hotspots.
The area scored just 18.6 out of 100 points, with its final ranking based on a weighed score across three core metrics and their five-year changes.
They are high mobility rate (40%), change in mobility (30%), share of renters (10%), change in renter share (5%), share of rental units (10%) and change in rental units (5%).
By the numbers
By the numbers, just 28% of Lehigh Valley renters moved to a different apartment within two years, and overall mobility dropped 23.2% from 2018 to 2023.
Even though apartment construction was up 3.8%, renters seemed to be more cautious about moving to a new place, with a change in renters down 4.4%.
“While many quick moves still happen because of job changes or the need to live closer to work, today’s smart renter mobility is more about moving with purpose,” said Veronica Grecu, senior real estate writer and research analyst at RentCafe.com.
Experts cited the Lehigh Valley’s strong mix of major universities and its prime location between Philadelphia and New York City continuing to draw in young renters.
"Today’s smart renter mobility is more about moving with purpose."Veronica Grecu, research analyst at RentCafe.com
Still, even among younger generations, trends showed mobility was slowing down.
Currently, only 61% of Gen Z renters are moving to a new apartment within two years — down sharply from 88% five years ago — while just 34% of millennials are doing the same, compared to 52% previously.
Third-hottest small rental market
The Lehigh Valley recently ranked as the nation’s third-hottest small rental market in Rent Cafe’s peak season Rental Competitiveness Report.
It showed about 96% of apartments are occupied, and there are around 16 renters competing for each available unit — nearly double the national average of nine.
On top of that, 77.7% of renters renewed, and apartments get leased in about 38 days.
The area’s competitive score was 92.4 out of 100, up from 87.4 in 2024. The area’s lease renewal rate was behind only Central Jersey (79.9%) and Rochester, New York (78.1%).
RentCafe said it's a clear sign that demand remains high and supply is tight.
“With a little planning and an eye on the cost of living, Lehigh Valley renters can make choices that stretch their budgets and build a real sense of confidence about where they live,” Grecu said.
