Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Columbia?

Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Columbia?

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

Allentown vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,340 in Allentown, PA versus $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Columbia, SC is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 4% higher in Columbia, 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

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$802

+23% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,026

+7% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,164

+8% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,338

+6% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$243,500

+29% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$55,653

+4% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$46,430

+5% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

28.7 yr

+3.7 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

47.3%

+5.0 pp in Columbia, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

46.1%

+26.7 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

24.8 min

17.4 min

+7.4 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

769.9

+180% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,265.1

+105% in Columbia, 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

64.9°F

+13.7°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

+0.0 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.6

+28% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$29.07

+11% in Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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 Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Columbia?: Columbia, SC is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,220 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Columbia?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbia 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).