Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Norfolk?

Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Norfolk?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Norfolk, VA is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 17% higher in Norfolk, VA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,102

+6% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,032

+6% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,214

+4% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,602

+12% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$271,900

+44% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$64,017

+20% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,430

+1% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

about equal

Homeownership

42.3%

45.7%

+3.4 pp in Norfolk, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

32.7%

+13.3 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

24.8 min

22.9 min

+1.9 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

479.5

+75% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

1,591.5

3,800.7

+139% in Norfolk, VA

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

61.3°F

+10.1°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

44.8 in

+0.6 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

17.6

+18% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$23.66

+23% in Norfolk, VA

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 Norfolk, VA

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 / VA)

5.3%

+0.7 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.75%

+2.7 pp in VA

Allentown vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Norfolk?: Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Norfolk?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).