Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 24% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$992
+5% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,181
+7% in Las Vegas, NV
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,401
+10% in Las Vegas, NV
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,740
+22% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$395,300
+109% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$70,723
+32% in Las Vegas, NV
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$46,670
+5% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
38.5 yr
+6.1 yr in Las Vegas, NV
Homeownership
42.3%
55.7%
+13.4 pp in Las Vegas, NV
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
27.3%
+7.9 pp in Las Vegas, NV
Avg Commute
24.8 min
25.8 min
+1.0 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
433.3
+58% in Las Vegas, NV
Property Crime
1,591.5
2,642.1
+66% in Las Vegas, NV

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
68.4°F
+17.2°F in Las Vegas, NV
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
5.4 in
+40.0 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$5.09/gal
+32% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — vs RTC (residential routes) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
13.6
+37% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$12.09
+37% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Las Vegas, NV
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in Las Vegas, NV
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in Las Vegas, NV
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 / NV)
6%
6.85%
+0.8 pp in NV
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
None
+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Las Vegas?
They're close. Allentown, PA runs about $1,320 a month and Las Vegas, NV about $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Las Vegas?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Las Vegas?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).