Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Annapolis?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Annapolis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $64,000 in Annapolis.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Annapolis?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Annapolis under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Annapolis Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/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 $1,820 in Annapolis, MD. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $104,257 in Annapolis, MD — about 49% higher in Annapolis, MD. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Annapolis, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,239

+19% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,598

+45% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,864

+47% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,232

+56% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$510,200

+170% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$104,257

+95% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$59,070

+21% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

40.9 yr

+8.5 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

42.3%

59.8%

+17.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

53.7%

+34.3 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

24.8 min

28.7 min

+3.9 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

806

+194% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,111.5

+33% in Annapolis, MD

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

57.1°F

+5.9°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

21.8

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$18.94

+1% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Allentown, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Allentown, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Allentown, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Allentown, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / MD)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

6.50%

+3.4 pp in MD

Allentown vs Annapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Annapolis?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Annapolis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $64,000 in Annapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Annapolis?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Annapolis under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).