Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Manchester?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Manchester?

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

Allentown vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 31% higher in Manchester, NH. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$880

+16% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,150

+5% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,593

+25% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,661

+16% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$336,300

+78% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$77,415

+45% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$56,530

+15% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

37.9 yr

+5.5 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

42.3%

49.3%

+7.0 pp in Manchester, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

33.5%

+14.1 pp in Manchester, NH

Avg Commute

24.8 min

23.8 min

+1.0 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

339.5

+24% in Manchester, NH

Property Crime

1,591.5

1,691.4

+6% in Manchester, NH

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

49.2°F

+2.0°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

44.6 in

+0.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

27.3

+27% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$24.53

+28% in Manchester, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Manchester?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Manchester?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).