Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Bellevue?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $40,000 in Bellevue.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Bellevue?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Bellevue Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Bellevue, NE. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE — about 39% higher in Bellevue, NE. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Bellevue, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,106

+6% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,008

+8% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,190

+6% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,660

+16% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$230,800

+22% in Bellevue, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$87,343

+64% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,660

+1% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

36.1 yr

+3.7 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

42.3%

65.5%

+23.2 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

33.4%

+14.0 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

24.8 min

20.8 min

+4.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

100.8

+63% in Allentown, PA

Property Crime

1,591.5

1,149.4

+28% in Allentown, PA

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

51.1°F

+0.1°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

30.6 in

+14.7 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Bellevue, NE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

13.6

+37% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$15.53

+19% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Allentown, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Allentown, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Allentown, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / NE)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.55%

+1.5 pp in NE

Allentown vs Bellevue — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Bellevue?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Bellevue?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $40,000 in Bellevue.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Bellevue?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).