Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 17% higher in Des Moines, 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
Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$870
+17% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$870
+21% in Allentown, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,099
+14% in Allentown, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,334
+7% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$183,700
+3% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$63,966
+20% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$51,820
+6% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
34.6 yr
+2.2 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
42.3%
60.4%
+18.1 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
29.0%
+9.6 pp in Des Moines, IA
Avg Commute
24.8 min
19.6 min
+5.2 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
707.3
+158% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
1,591.5
3,156.6
+98% in Des Moines, 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
50.9°F
+0.3°F in Allentown, PA
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
36.0 in
+9.3 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Des Moines, IA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
14.1
+34% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$15.72
+18% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.66
+14% in Allentown, PA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Des Moines, 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)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
3.80%
+0.7 pp in IA

Allentown vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Des Moines?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Des Moines?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Des Moines 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).