Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Jackson?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 19% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,085

+4% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$816

+26% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$991

+22% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,121

+22% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$108,200

+43% in Allentown, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$43,238

+19% in Allentown, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$42,850

+13% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.7 yr

+2.3 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

42.3%

48.6%

+6.3 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

28.6%

+9.2 pp in Jackson, MS

Avg Commute

24.8 min

20.2 min

+4.6 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

—

Property Crime

1,591.5

—

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

65.3°F

+14.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

54.3 in

+9.0 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Allentown, PA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.2

+25% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$27.68

+44% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.00%

+0.9 pp in MS

Allentown vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Jackson?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).