Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Fargo?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/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 $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 19% higher in Fargo, ND. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$671

+36% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$804

+27% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$956

+25% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,368

+4% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$269,800

+43% in Fargo, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$66,029

+24% in Fargo, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$51,050

+4% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

32.2 yr

+0.2 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

44.1%

+1.8 pp in Fargo, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

43.2%

+23.8 pp in Fargo, ND

Avg Commute

24.8 min

15.8 min

+9.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

504.9

+84% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,726.4

+134% in Fargo, ND

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

42.4°F

+8.8°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

22.6 in

+22.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Fargo, ND

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

13.6

+37% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$11.39

+41% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Allentown, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Fargo, ND

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 / ND)

+1.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

2.50%

+0.6 pp in PA

Allentown vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Fargo?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).