Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Aurora?

Aurora, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $46,000 in Aurora.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Aurora?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Aurora under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Aurora Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Aurora, CO. Overall, Aurora, CO is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $85,364 in Aurora, CO — about 37% higher in Aurora, CO. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Aurora, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,043

—

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,138

+3% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$2,284

+80% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,320

+62% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$689,000

+265% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$85,364

+60% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$62,320

+27% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.3 yr

+2.9 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

42.3%

46.0%

+3.7 pp in Aurora, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

41.4%

+22.0 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.7 min

+6.1 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

952.9

+247% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,368.1

+112% in Aurora, CO

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

50.2°F

+1.0°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

15.6 in

+29.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.25/gal

+10% in Aurora, CO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Colorado.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTD (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.2

+25% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$11.92

+38% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Aurora, CO

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 / CO)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.40%

+1.3 pp in CO

Allentown vs Aurora — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Aurora?: Aurora, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Aurora?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $46,000 in Aurora.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Aurora?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Aurora under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).