Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or New Haven?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or New Haven?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Allentown vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/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 $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 1% higher in New Haven, CT. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,159

+11% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,275

+16% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,473

+16% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,636

+14% in New Haven, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$249,000

+32% in New Haven, CT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$53,771

+1% in New Haven, CT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$60,060

+23% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

31.9 yr

+0.5 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

28.4%

+13.9 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

37.7%

+18.3 pp in New Haven, CT

Avg Commute

24.8 min

21.0 min

+3.8 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

536.3

+95% in New Haven, CT

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,601.6

+126% in New Haven, CT

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

52.2°F

+1.0°F in New Haven, CT

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

47.1 in

+1.8 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

24.3

+12% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$23.33

+11% in Allentown, PA

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 / CT)

6.35%

+0.3 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

6.99%

+3.9 pp in CT

Allentown vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or New Haven?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or New Haven?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).