Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Dallas?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Dallas?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,480/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 $1,480 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 21% higher in Dallas, TX. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,259

+21% in Dallas, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,280

+16% in Dallas, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,500

+18% in Dallas, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,559

+9% in Dallas, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$295,300

+56% in Dallas, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$67,760

+27% in Dallas, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$51,440

+5% in Dallas, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

33.4 yr

+1.0 yr in Dallas, TX

Homeownership

42.3%

42.4%

+0.1 pp in Dallas, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

37.4%

+18.0 pp in Dallas, TX

Avg Commute

24.8 min

26.0 min

+1.2 min in Dallas, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

661.9

+141% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,412.9

+114% in Dallas, TX

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

67.2°F

+16.0°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

37.6 in

+7.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Allentown, PA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.4

+24% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$30.48

+59% in Dallas, TX

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 Dallas, TX

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 / TX)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Dallas?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Dallas, TX's $1,480, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Dallas?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).