Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Columbus?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% 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 $42,000 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 Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $65,327 in Columbus, OH — about 18% higher in Columbus, OH. 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

Columbus, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,014

+3% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,059

+4% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,276

+0% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,369

+4% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$234,500

+24% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$65,327

+22% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$51,340

+5% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

33.0 yr

+0.6 yr in Columbus, OH

Homeownership

42.3%

44.3%

+2.0 pp in Columbus, OH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

38.2%

+18.8 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

24.8 min

21.8 min

+3.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

485.2

+77% in Columbus, OH

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,093.9

+94% in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

40.1 in

+5.2 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.18/gal

+8% in Columbus, OH

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

19.5

+9% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$22.83

+19% in Columbus, 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 Columbus, 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 Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Columbus?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% 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 $42,000 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 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).