Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Columbus?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 6% higher in Columbus, GA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$826

+21% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$875

+20% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$991

+22% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,221

+15% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$182,300

+3% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$56,622

+6% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$43,540

+11% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.1 yr

+2.7 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

42.3%

50.2%

+7.9 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

29.7%

+10.3 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

24.8 min

20.2 min

+4.6 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

612.3

+123% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,273.4

+43% in Columbus, GA

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

65.7°F

+14.5°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

46.8 in

+1.4 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

15.8

+26% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$33.28

+74% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 / GA)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.19%

+2.1 pp in GA

Allentown vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Columbus?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% 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).