Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Fairbanks?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Fairbanks, AK's $1,350, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Fairbanks.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Fairbanks?

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

Allentown vs Fairbanks Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Fairbanks

Alaska

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Fairbanks, AK. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fairbanks, AK, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $72,077 in Fairbanks, AK — about 26% higher in Fairbanks, AK. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Fairbanks, AK

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$883

+15% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,076

+2% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,428

+12% in Fairbanks, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,019

+41% in Fairbanks, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$255,700

+35% in Fairbanks, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$72,077

+35% in Fairbanks, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$61,810

+26% in Fairbanks, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

28.6 yr

+3.8 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

40.5%

+1.8 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

26.5%

+7.1 pp in Fairbanks, AK

Avg Commute

24.8 min

14.1 min

+10.7 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

726.1

+165% in Fairbanks, AK

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,504.2

+120% in Fairbanks, AK

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

27.7°F

+23.5°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

10.8 in

+34.5 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Fairbanks, AK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

28.2

+30% in Fairbanks, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$17.35

+33% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Fairbanks, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Fairbanks, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Fairbanks, AK

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 / AK)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Fairbanks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Fairbanks?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Fairbanks, AK's $1,350, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Fairbanks?: 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 Fairbanks.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Fairbanks?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Fairbanks under Alaska's (no state income tax 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).