Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $31,000 in Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Davenport?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 17% higher in Davenport, IA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$726

+30% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$777

+29% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$962

+24% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,117

+22% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$162,900

+14% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$64,497

+21% in Davenport, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$48,550

+1% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

37.8 yr

+5.4 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

42.3%

63.0%

+20.7 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

30.0%

+10.6 pp in Davenport, IA

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.7 min

+6.1 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

581.4

+112% in Davenport, IA

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,559.6

+124% in Davenport, IA

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

49.3°F

+1.9°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

36.0 in

+9.3 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Allentown, PA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.9

+27% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$22.16

+15% in Allentown, PA

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 Davenport, IA

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 / IA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

3.80%

+0.7 pp in IA

Allentown vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Davenport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $31,000 in Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Davenport?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).