Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Raleigh?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $53,000 in Raleigh.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Raleigh?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Raleigh Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/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 $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 35% higher in Raleigh, NC. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,301

+25% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,323

+20% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,462

+15% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,715

+20% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$377,800

+100% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$82,424

+54% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$51,990

+6% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.7 yr

+2.3 yr in Raleigh, NC

Homeownership

42.3%

51.2%

+8.9 pp in Raleigh, NC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

52.9%

+33.5 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

24.8 min

23.4 min

+1.4 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

491.5

+79% in Raleigh, NC

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,838.4

+78% in Raleigh, NC

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

60.6°F

+9.4°F in Raleigh, NC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

46.0 in

+0.7 in in Raleigh, NC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

15.1

+30% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$27.56

+44% in Raleigh, NC

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 Raleigh, NC

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 / NC)

4.75%

+1.3 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

3.99%

+0.9 pp in NC

Allentown vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Raleigh?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Raleigh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Raleigh?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).