Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Cheyenne?

Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Cheyenne.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Cheyenne?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Cheyenne under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Cheyenne Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$980/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 $980 in Cheyenne, WY. Overall, Cheyenne, WY is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY — about 31% higher in Cheyenne, WY. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Cheyenne, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$756

+28% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$824

+25% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,036

+18% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,478

+3% in Cheyenne, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$311,200

+65% in Cheyenne, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$77,176

+45% in Cheyenne, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$51,540

+5% in Cheyenne, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

38.9 yr

+6.5 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

42.3%

67.7%

+25.4 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

32.9%

+13.5 pp in Cheyenne, WY

Avg Commute

24.8 min

16.1 min

+8.7 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

334.6

+22% in Cheyenne, WY

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,030.3

+90% in Cheyenne, WY

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

46.5°F

+4.7°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

15.9 in

+29.4 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

14.8

+31% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$13.31

+31% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Cheyenne, WY

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 / WY)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Cheyenne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Cheyenne?: Cheyenne, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $980 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Cheyenne?: 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 Cheyenne.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Cheyenne?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Cheyenne under Wyoming's (no state income tax 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).