Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Baltimore?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $43,000 in Baltimore.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Baltimore?

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

Allentown vs Baltimore Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Baltimore

Maryland

$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 Baltimore, MD. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $59,623 in Baltimore, MD — about 10% higher in Baltimore, 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

Baltimore, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,050

+1% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,073

+2% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,353

+6% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,555

+9% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$219,300

+16% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$59,623

+12% in Baltimore, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$59,070

+21% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

36.1 yr

+3.7 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

42.3%

47.5%

+5.2 pp in Baltimore, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

35.4%

+16.0 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

24.8 min

29.4 min

+4.6 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

1,616.7

+489% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

1,591.5

4,202.6

+164% in Baltimore, 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

61.4°F

+10.2°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

42.4 in

+2.9 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

21.8

+1% in Baltimore, 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 Baltimore, 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 Baltimore — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Baltimore?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Baltimore?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $43,000 in Baltimore.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Baltimore?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Baltimore 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).