Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Missoula?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $38,000 in Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Missoula?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Allentown vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/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 $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Missoula, MT 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 $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 18% higher in Missoula, MT. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$755

+28% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$953

+13% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,176

+7% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,676

+17% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$427,400

+126% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$65,329

+22% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$47,830

+2% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.3 yr

+1.9 yr in Missoula, MT

Homeownership

42.3%

47.8%

+5.5 pp in Missoula, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

51.7%

+32.3 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

24.8 min

16.6 min

+8.2 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

601.9

+119% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,685.2

+132% in Missoula, MT

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

45.9°F

+5.3°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

14.1 in

+31.2 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Missoula, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.1

+30% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$10.12

+61% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Missoula, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Missoula, MT

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 / MT)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.65%

+2.6 pp in MT

Allentown vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Missoula?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Missoula?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $38,000 in Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Missoula?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% 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).