Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Eugene?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $43,000 in Eugene.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Eugene?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Allentown vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $63,836 in Eugene, OR — about 16% higher in Eugene, OR. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,011

+3% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,080

+2% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,411

+11% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,674

+17% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$435,400

+130% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$63,836

+20% in Eugene, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,680

+1% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.4 yr

+3.0 yr in Eugene, OR

Homeownership

42.3%

47.6%

+5.3 pp in Eugene, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

44.2%

+24.8 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.6 min

+6.2 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

319.6

+16% in Eugene, OR

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,348.9

+110% in Eugene, OR

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

52.5°F

+1.3°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

46.1 in

+0.8 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Eugene, OR

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.3

+25% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$20.59

+7% in Eugene, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Eugene, OR

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 / OR)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

9.90%

+6.8 pp in OR

Allentown vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Eugene?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Eugene?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% 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).