Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 29% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$825
+21% in Allentown, PA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$870
+21% in Allentown, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,000
+21% in Allentown, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,237
+14% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$271,400
+44% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$74,714
+40% in Sioux Falls, SD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$47,970
+2% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
35.1 yr
+2.7 yr in Sioux Falls, SD
Homeownership
42.3%
60.0%
+17.7 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
37.4%
+18.0 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Avg Commute
24.8 min
17.0 min
+7.8 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
526.7
+92% in Sioux Falls, SD
Property Crime
1,591.5
2,927.1
+84% in Sioux Falls, SD

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
45.8°F
+5.4°F in Allentown, PA
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
26.4 in
+19.0 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Sioux Falls, SD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
15.7
+27% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$10.95
+43% in Allentown, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.66
+14% in Allentown, PA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Sioux Falls, SD
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.77
+2% in Allentown, PA
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.10
+4% in Allentown, PA
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.62
+11% in Allentown, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / SD)
6%
4.2%
+1.8 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
None
+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Sioux Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Sioux Falls?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).