Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Charleston?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $57,000 in Charleston.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Charleston?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Charleston under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Charleston Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Charleston, SC. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charleston, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $90,038 in Charleston, SC — about 41% higher in Charleston, SC. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Charleston, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,579

+51% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,430

+30% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,684

+32% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,076

+45% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$469,100

+148% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$90,038

+69% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,150

+0% in Charleston, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

36.1 yr

+3.7 yr in Charleston, SC

Homeownership

42.3%

55.6%

+13.3 pp in Charleston, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

57.7%

+38.3 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

24.8 min

23.8 min

+1.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

358.8

+31% in Charleston, SC

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,035.1

+28% in Charleston, SC

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

66.7°F

+15.5°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

44.4 in

+0.9 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.2

+25% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$27.35

+43% in Charleston, SC

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 Charleston, SC

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 / SC)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

6.00%

+2.9 pp in SC

Allentown vs Charleston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Charleston?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Charleston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $57,000 in Charleston.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Charleston?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Charleston under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).