Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Huntington?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/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 $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 19% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$762

+27% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$758

+31% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$881

+31% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,121

+22% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$118,800

+37% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$43,146

+19% in Allentown, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$44,600

+9% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.9 yr

+2.5 yr in Huntington, WV

Homeownership

42.3%

52.5%

+10.2 pp in Huntington, WV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

34.5%

+15.1 pp in Huntington, WV

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.6 min

+6.2 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

800.3

+192% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,617.9

+127% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+4.5°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

42.6 in

+2.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.4

+29% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$24.68

+5% in Allentown, PA

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 Huntington, WV

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 / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.82%

+1.8 pp in WV

Allentown vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Huntington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $30,000 in Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Huntington?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% 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).