Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Bismarck?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,340 in Allentown, PA versus $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 31% higher in Bismarck, ND. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$723

+31% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$803

+27% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$989

+22% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,421

+1% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$291,400

+54% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$77,608

+45% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$52,560

+7% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

38.2 yr

+5.8 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

42.3%

65.8%

+23.5 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

38.7%

+19.3 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

24.8 min

15.5 min

+9.3 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

278

+1% in Bismarck, ND

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,417.1

+52% in Bismarck, ND

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

43.0°F

+8.2°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

17.9 in

+27.5 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Allentown, PA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

14.1

+35% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$18.21

+30% 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 Bismarck, ND

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 / ND)

+1.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

2.50%

+0.6 pp in PA

Allentown vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Bismarck?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 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).