Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Little Rock?

Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Little Rock.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Little Rock?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Little Rock Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Little Rock, AR. Overall, Little Rock, AR is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $60,583 in Little Rock, AR — about 12% higher in Little Rock, AR. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Little Rock, AR

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$981

+6% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$904

+18% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,064

+16% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,292

+10% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$221,200

+17% in Little Rock, AR

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$60,583

+13% in Little Rock, AR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$45,790

+7% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

36.4 yr

+4.0 yr in Little Rock, AR

Homeownership

42.3%

54.2%

+11.9 pp in Little Rock, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

44.0%

+24.6 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.3 min

+6.5 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

1,673

+509% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

1,591.5

5,251.5

+230% in Little Rock, AR

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

62.7°F

+11.5°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

49.8 in

+4.4 in in Little Rock, AR

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

14.4

+33% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$25.93

+35% in Little Rock, AR

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 Little Rock, AR

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 / AR)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

3.90%

+0.8 pp in AR

Allentown vs Little Rock — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Little Rock?: Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Little Rock?: 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 Little Rock.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Little Rock?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).