Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Boise?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% 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 Boise?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Boise?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 5% 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 $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 34% higher in Boise, ID. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,021

+2% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,133

+3% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,342

+6% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,749

+22% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$456,000

+141% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$81,308

+52% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,100

+0% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

38.2 yr

+5.8 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

42.3%

63.0%

+20.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

46.6%

+27.2 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

24.8 min

19.1 min

+5.7 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

301

+10% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

1,591.5

1,135.1

+29% 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

52.5°F

+1.3°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

11.7 in

+33.6 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Boise, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

12.3

+43% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$10.82

+44% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Boise, ID

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 / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.30%

+2.2 pp in ID

Allentown vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Boise?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% 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 Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Boise?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).