Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Buffalo?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $34,000 in Buffalo.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Buffalo?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Buffalo Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Buffalo, NY. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $48,050 in Buffalo, NY — about 10% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Buffalo, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$812

+22% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$849

+23% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$954

+25% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,080

+25% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$152,300

+19% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$48,050

+10% in Allentown, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$50,790

+4% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Buffalo, NY

Homeownership

42.3%

42.7%

+0.4 pp in Buffalo, NY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

30.3%

+10.9 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

24.8 min

19.9 min

+4.9 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

770.5

+181% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

1,591.5

4,003.2

+152% in Buffalo, NY

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

48.3°F

+2.9°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

40.5 in

+4.9 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.04/gal

+5% in Buffalo, NY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

29.9

+39% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$22.74

+19% in Buffalo, NY

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 / NY)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

10.90%

+7.8 pp in NY

Allentown vs Buffalo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Buffalo?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Buffalo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $34,000 in Buffalo.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Buffalo?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).