Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Cleveland?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $29,000 in Cleveland.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Cleveland?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Cleveland Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $39,187 in Cleveland, OH — about 27% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Cleveland, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$678

+35% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$732

+33% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$903

+29% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,081

+24% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$94,100

+50% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$39,187

+27% in Allentown, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$50,140

+2% in Cleveland, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

36.3 yr

+3.9 yr in Cleveland, OH

Homeownership

42.3%

41.2%

+1.1 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

21.3%

+1.9 pp in Cleveland, OH

Avg Commute

24.8 min

22.9 min

+1.9 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

1,582

+476% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

1,591.5

4,531.3

+185% in Cleveland, OH

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

52.7°F

+1.5°F in Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

36.4 in

+9.0 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.18/gal

+8% in Cleveland, OH

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

19.5

+9% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$22.83

+19% in Cleveland, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Allentown, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Allentown, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Allentown, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / OH)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

2.75%

+0.3 pp in PA

Allentown vs Cleveland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Cleveland?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Cleveland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $29,000 in Cleveland.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Cleveland?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Cleveland under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).