Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

vs
Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/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 $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 21% higher in Allentown, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$836
+20% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$770
+30% in Allentown, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$969
+24% in Allentown, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,038
+27% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$238,200
+26% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$42,245
+21% in Allentown, PA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$47,350
+3% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
24.0 yr
+8.4 yr in Allentown, PA
Homeownership
42.3%
44.3%
+2.0 pp in Morgantown, WV
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
58.1%
+38.7 pp in Morgantown, WV
Avg Commute
24.8 min
17.3 min
+7.5 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
216.3
+21% in Allentown, PA
Property Crime
1,591.5
1,976.4
+24% in Morgantown, WV

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
53.0°F
+1.8°F in Morgantown, WV
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
41.8 in
+3.5 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.7
15.4
+29% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$26.08
$24.68
+5% in Allentown, PA

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 Morgantown, WV
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 / WV)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
4.82%
+1.8 pp in WV

Allentown vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Morgantown?
Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Morgantown?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Morgantown?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% 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).