Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Denver?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Denver?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 42% higher in Denver, CO. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,497

+44% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,583

+44% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,958

+54% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,269

+59% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$586,700

+211% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$91,681

+72% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$62,320

+27% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.2 yr

+2.8 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

42.3%

49.1%

+6.8 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

55.6%

+36.2 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

24.8 min

25.4 min

+0.6 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

999.3

+264% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

1,591.5

4,781.1

+200% in Denver, CO

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

50.2°F

+1.0°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

15.6 in

+29.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Denver, CO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.2

+25% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$11.92

+38% in Allentown, PA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / CO)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.40%

+1.3 pp in CO

Allentown vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Denver?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Denver?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).