Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Boston?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Boston?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 44% higher in Boston, MA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,890

+81% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,978

+80% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$2,155

+70% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,234

+56% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$710,400

+276% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$94,755

+77% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$66,620

+36% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

33.2 yr

+0.8 yr in Boston, MA

Homeownership

42.3%

35.4%

+6.9 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

54.1%

+34.7 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

24.8 min

30.2 min

+5.4 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

630.2

+130% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,030.8

+28% in Boston, MA

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

51.5°F

+0.3°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

43.8 in

+1.6 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Boston, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

28.8

+34% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$31.39

+64% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / MA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

9.00%

+5.9 pp in MA

Allentown vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Boston?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Boston?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).