Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 17% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Both cities are in Pennsylvania, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$1,109
+6% in Pittsburgh, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,079
+2% in Allentown, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,269
+0% in Allentown, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,450
+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$193,200
+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$64,137
+20% in Pittsburgh, PA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$49,650
+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
33.5 yr
+1.1 yr in Pittsburgh, PA
Homeownership
42.3%
47.2%
+4.9 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
47.8%
+28.4 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Avg Commute
24.8 min
23.1 min
+1.7 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
436
+59% in Pittsburgh, PA
Property Crime
1,591.5
2,315.7
+46% in Pittsburgh, PA

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
51.8°F
+0.6°F in Pittsburgh, PA
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
39.3 in
+6.1 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
21.6
about equal
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$19.17
about equal

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.92
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.90
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.69
about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / PA)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
3.07%
about equal

Allentown vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Pittsburgh?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Pittsburgh?
Neither — both are in Pennsylvania, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).