Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Houston?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Houston?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/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 $1,360 in Houston, TX. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Houston, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 15% higher in Houston, TX. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,142

+9% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,156

+5% in Houston, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,375

+8% in Houston, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,664

+16% in Houston, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$253,400

+34% in Houston, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$62,894

+18% in Houston, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,410

+1% in Houston, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Houston, TX

Homeownership

42.3%

42.0%

+0.3 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

36.0%

+16.6 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

24.8 min

27.3 min

+2.5 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

1,153.8

+320% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

1,591.5

4,324.9

+172% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+19.1°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

54.6 in

+9.3 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.52/gal

+9% in Allentown, PA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Houston METRO (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.4

+24% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$30.48

+59% in Houston, TX

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 Houston, TX

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 / TX)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Houston?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Houston?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).