Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Anchorage

Alaska

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Allentown, PA versus $1,320 in Anchorage, AK. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $98,152 in Anchorage, AK — about 46% higher in Anchorage, AK. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Anchorage, AK

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$1,001
+4% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,052
+4% in Allentown, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,433
+13% in Anchorage, AK
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,952
+36% in Anchorage, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$375,900
+99% in Anchorage, AK

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$98,152
+84% in Anchorage, AK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$60,200
+23% in Anchorage, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
34.9 yr
+2.5 yr in Anchorage, AK
Homeownership
42.3%
63.7%
+21.4 pp in Anchorage, AK
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
37.7%
+18.3 pp in Anchorage, AK
Avg Commute
24.8 min
19.0 min
+5.8 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
1,016.5
+270% in Anchorage, AK
Property Crime
1,591.5
2,796.2
+76% in Anchorage, AK

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
51.2°F
37.4°F
+13.8°F in Allentown, PA
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
17.9 in
+27.4 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$5.09/gal
+32% in Anchorage, AK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
28.2
+31% in Anchorage, AK
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$14.40
+25% in Allentown, PA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Anchorage, AK
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in Anchorage, AK
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in Anchorage, AK
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.01
+8% in Allentown, PA
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.70
about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / AK)
6%
None
+6.0 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
None
+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Anchorage — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Anchorage?
They're close. Allentown, PA runs about $1,320 a month and Anchorage, AK about $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Anchorage?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $42,000 in Anchorage.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Anchorage?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Anchorage under Alaska's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).