The city of Bethlehem has been included on Livability.com’s list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America.

The city of Bethlehem has been ranked among the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America.

Livability.com, a prestigious website that ranks America’s most livable small and mid-sized cities, included Bethlehem in its Top 100 list, which considered such factors as safety, affordability, economic stability, outdoor recreation, accessibility, community engagement.

“These 100 cities offer the exact things so many of us are craving right now: connection, affordability, and the space and opportunity to grow,” read the article, which was posted on Oct. 12.

Bethlehem ranked #70 on the list. It’s reputation as the “Christmas City” was highlighted, as were its top industries and sectors, restaurants and entertainment venues, and high-quality educational institutions like Lehigh University and Northampton Community College.

“We certainly appreciate Livability ranking the City of Bethlehem in the top 100 places to live in America,” said Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez. “We are a city of the arts, culture, colleges and universities, a progressive public school system, two outstanding health networks, a diverse economy and a high quality of life. We are pleased to have been recognized.”

“While it’s especially darling during Christmas, this Eastern Pennsylvania city makes a great place to live year-round, thanks to a statewide tech renaissance that has helped this former steel town reinvent itself as a hub of innovation,” the article reads. “Bethlehem is also affordable, boasts an up-and-coming art and culture scene, and has a sweet spot for marshmallow Peeps.”

Visit here to see the full list as well as Bethlehem’s entry.

The list is data-driven, based upon an algorithm with a variety of variables and data points, which ranked Bethlehem based upon such criteria as amenities, demographics, economy, education, health care, housing, infrastructure, and more.

“Right now, millions of people are reevaluating where they want to live,” the article reads. “… Respondents were asked if they could work from anywhere, which factors would be most heavily considered when choosing to relocate and how housing needs and priorities have changed since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Livability.com took note of the diversified and multi-faceted economy of the Lehigh Valley, noting such thriving industries as manufacturing, professional and business services, transportation and logistics, health care and education, and food and beverage processing.

The list highlighted events like Christkindlmarkt, organizations like ArtsQuest, restaurants like Zest Bar & Grille, and wineries like Black River Farms. It also identified several Bethlehem-based companies, like OraSure Technologies and Just Born.

“Home values are significantly below the national average, so you’ll get a good bang for your buck in Bethlehem,” the article reads.