Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $29,000 in Laramie.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Laramie?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/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 $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 2% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$667

+36% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$728

+34% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$883

+31% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,423

+1% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$302,200

+60% in Laramie, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$52,414

+2% in Allentown, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

26.9 yr

+5.5 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

44.1%

+1.8 pp in Laramie, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

55.8%

+36.4 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

24.8 min

13.5 min

+11.3 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

129.6

+53% in Allentown, PA

Property Crime

1,591.5

1,175.9

+26% in Allentown, PA

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

41.0°F

+10.2°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

10.9 in

+34.4 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Laramie, WY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.2

+30% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$18.28

+30% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / WY)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Laramie?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $29,000 in Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Laramie?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax 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).