Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Provo?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,340/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 15% higher in Provo, UT. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,009

+3% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$978

+11% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,128

+11% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,381

+3% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$437,100

+131% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$62,800

+18% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$48,010

+2% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

23.7 yr

+8.7 yr in Allentown, PA

Homeownership

42.3%

39.9%

+2.4 pp in Allentown, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

45.0%

+25.6 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.5 min

+6.3 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

205.7

+25% in Allentown, PA

Property Crime

1,591.5

1,280.6

+20% in Allentown, 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

53.4°F

+2.2°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

19.8 in

+25.6 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

13.4

+38% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$11.84

+55% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.50%

+1.4 pp in UT

Allentown vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Allentown, PA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Provo?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).