Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

vs
Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 25% higher in Huntsville, AL. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$815
+22% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$900
+18% in Allentown, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,080
+15% in Allentown, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,251
+13% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$263,100
+39% in Huntsville, AL

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$70,778
+33% in Huntsville, AL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$51,740
+6% in Huntsville, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
36.4 yr
+4.0 yr in Huntsville, AL
Homeownership
42.3%
58.1%
+15.8 pp in Huntsville, AL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
46.2%
+26.8 pp in Huntsville, AL
Avg Commute
24.8 min
19.3 min
+5.5 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
483.2
+76% in Huntsville, AL
Property Crime
1,591.5
2,395.7
+51% in Huntsville, AL

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
62.1°F
+10.9°F in Huntsville, AL
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
54.3 in
+9.0 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.62/gal
+8% in Allentown, PA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.7
16.4
+25% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$26.08
$24.06
+8% 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 Huntsville, AL
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 / AL)
6%
4%
+2.0 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
5.00%
+1.9 pp in AL

Allentown vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Huntsville?
Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Huntsville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Huntsville?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).