Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Bowling Green?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Bowling Green?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Bowling Green Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY — about 9% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Bowling Green, KY

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$878

+16% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$833

+24% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$960

+24% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,214

+15% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$232,100

+23% in Bowling Green, KY

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$48,419

+9% in Allentown, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$45,040

+8% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

27.9 yr

+4.5 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

37.3%

+5.0 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

32.0%

+12.6 pp in Bowling Green, KY

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.8 min

+6.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

231

+16% in Allentown, PA

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,984.4

+88% in Bowling Green, KY

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

58.0°F

+6.8°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

49.9 in

+4.5 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

15.0

+30% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$29.48

+54% in Bowling Green, KY

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 Bowling Green, KY

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 / KY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

3.50%

+0.4 pp in KY

Allentown vs Bowling Green — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Bowling Green?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Bowling Green?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Bowling Green?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).