Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Salem?

Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Salem?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Allentown vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Salem, OR is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 26% higher in Salem, OR. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,075

+3% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$989

+10% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,337

+5% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,778

+24% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$382,400

+102% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$71,900

+35% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$55,310

+13% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

35.7 yr

+3.3 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

42.3%

55.7%

+13.4 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

31.4%

+12.0 pp in Salem, OR

Avg Commute

24.8 min

22.4 min

+2.4 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

540.6

+97% in Salem, OR

Property Crime

1,591.5

2,878.6

+81% in Salem, OR

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

53.0°F

+1.8°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

39.7 in

+5.7 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Salem, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.3

+25% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$20.59

+7% in Salem, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Salem, OR

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 / OR)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

9.90%

+6.8 pp in OR

Allentown vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Salem?: Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Salem?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).