Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Colorado Springs

Colorado

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Colorado Springs, CO. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Colorado Springs, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $83,198 in Colorado Springs, CO — about 36% higher in Colorado Springs, CO. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Colorado Springs, CO

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$998
+4% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,305
+19% in Colorado Springs, CO
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,504
+18% in Colorado Springs, CO
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,881
+31% in Colorado Springs, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$420,700
+123% in Colorado Springs, CO

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$83,198
+56% in Colorado Springs, CO
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$52,710
+8% in Colorado Springs, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
35.6 yr
+3.2 yr in Colorado Springs, CO
Homeownership
42.3%
61.3%
+19.0 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
41.9%
+22.5 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Avg Commute
24.8 min
22.8 min
+2.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
722.1
+163% in Colorado Springs, CO
Property Crime
1,591.5
3,488.7
+119% in Colorado Springs, CO

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
49.0°F
+2.2°F in Allentown, PA
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
16.5 in
+28.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$4.25/gal
+10% in Colorado Springs, CO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Colorado.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Mountain Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
16.2
+25% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$11.92
+38% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Colorado Springs, CO
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in Colorado Springs, CO
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in Colorado Springs, CO
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 / CO)
6%
2.9%
+3.1 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
4.40%
+1.3 pp in CO

Allentown vs Colorado Springs — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Colorado Springs?
Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Colorado Springs, CO's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Colorado Springs?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $52,000 in Colorado Springs.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Colorado Springs?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Colorado Springs under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).