Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Reno?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Reno?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 32% higher in Reno, NV. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$964

+8% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,206

+10% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,518

+19% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,885

+32% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$498,600

+164% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$78,448

+47% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$49,660

+1% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

37.3 yr

+4.9 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

42.3%

49.4%

+7.1 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

35.7%

+16.3 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

24.8 min

20.6 min

+4.2 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

528.9

+93% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,489.3

+56% in Reno, NV

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

53.8°F

+2.6°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

7.4 in

+38.0 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Reno, NV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

13.6

+37% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$12.09

+37% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Reno, NV

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 / NV)

6.85%

+0.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Reno?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Reno?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).