Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Providence?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Providence?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 20% higher in Providence, RI. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,116

+7% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,030

+6% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,323

+4% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,627

+14% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$322,800

+71% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$66,772

+25% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$53,680

+10% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

32.9 yr

+0.5 yr in Providence, RI

Homeownership

42.3%

41.2%

+1.1 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

34.7%

+15.3 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

24.8 min

25.0 min

+0.2 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

282.4

+3% in Providence, RI

Property Crime

1,591.5

1,665.6

+5% in Providence, RI

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

51.6°F

+0.4°F in Providence, RI

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

47.2 in

+1.8 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

29.5

+37% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$16.06

+16% 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 / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.99%

+2.9 pp in RI

Allentown vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Providence?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Providence?: 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 Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Providence?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).