Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Dover?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Dover.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Dover?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Allentown vs Dover Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $58,336 in Dover, DE — about 8% higher in Dover, DE. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Dover, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$993

+5% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,047

+5% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,185

+7% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,634

+14% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$248,500

+32% in Dover, DE

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$58,336

+9% in Dover, DE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$46,690

+5% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.1 yr

+2.7 yr in Dover, DE

Homeownership

42.3%

47.0%

+4.7 pp in Dover, DE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

27.1%

+7.7 pp in Dover, DE

Avg Commute

24.8 min

24.0 min

+0.8 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

1,025.3

+274% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

1,591.5

6,159.1

+287% in Dover, DE

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

56.9°F

+5.7°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

46.0 in

+0.7 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

19.3

+11% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$29.73

+14% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 / DE)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

6.60%

+3.5 pp in DE

Allentown vs Dover — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Dover?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Dover?: 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 Dover.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Dover?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).