Allentown wins overall by ~16% (COL index)
Cost of living: Philadelphia vs Allentown (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Philadelphia buys roughly what $51,589 does in Allentown (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$8,635/yr
Favoring Allentown for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $720/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~21 months and still keep ~$86/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Philadelphia Pennsylvania | Allentown Pennsylvania | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,100Wins | Allentown wins −$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Allentown |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,000 | $1,400Wins | Allentown wins −$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Allentown |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,850Wins | Allentown wins −$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Allentown |
| Median home price | $290K | $270KBetter | Allentown wins −$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 103 | 100Better | Allentown wins -3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $14Better | Allentown wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $56Better | Allentown wins −$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $96 | $72Wins | Allentown wins −$24/mo | $288/yr saves in Allentown |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30 | $3.25Better | Allentown wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 | $158Better | Allentown wins −$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $160Better | $172 | Philadelphia wins +$12/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $63Better | Allentown wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $55KBetter | $54K | Philadelphia wins −$1K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.1%Better | 3.1% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0% | 6.0%Wins | Allentown wins -2.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $15.00Better | Allentown wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $38Wins | Allentown wins −$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Allentown wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 92Wins | Allentown wins -15 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 76Wins | 54 | Philadelphia wins -22 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Allentown fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Allentown.
High-yield savings
Park ~$7,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Philadelphia cheaper than Allentown?
No. Allentown is 16% cheaper than Philadelphia based on overall cost of living indices (92 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Philadelphia vs Allentown?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Philadelphia is $2,000/month and in Allentown is $1,400/month. Philadelphia is more expensive by 43%.
How much do I need to earn in Allentown to match a $75,000 salary in Philadelphia?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $64,486/year in Allentown to match a $75,000 salary in Philadelphia. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Philadelphia or Allentown?
Allentown has the lower state income tax rate at 3.1% vs 3.1%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Philadelphia to Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Allentown offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Philadelphia ↔ Allentown
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