Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Oklahoma City?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Oklahoma City Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,050/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 $1,050 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 20% higher in Oklahoma City, OK. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$795

+24% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$882

+20% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,085

+15% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,356

+5% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$215,100

+14% in Oklahoma City, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$66,702

+25% in Oklahoma City, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$47,230

+4% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.0 yr

+2.6 yr in Oklahoma City, OK

Homeownership

42.3%

59.1%

+16.8 pp in Oklahoma City, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

34.0%

+14.6 pp in Oklahoma City, OK

Avg Commute

24.8 min

22.2 min

+2.6 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

685.9

+150% in Oklahoma City, OK

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,929.1

+84% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

61.5°F

+10.3°F in Oklahoma City, OK

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

36.5 in

+8.8 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Oklahoma City, OK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs EMBARK (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

13.4

+38% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$27.15

+42% in Oklahoma City, OK

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 Oklahoma City, OK

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 / OK)

4.5%

+1.5 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.50%

+1.4 pp in OK

Allentown vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Oklahoma City?: Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Oklahoma City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Oklahoma City?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).