Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Tacoma?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Tacoma?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 36% higher in Tacoma, WA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,178

+13% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,332

+21% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,693

+33% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,094

+46% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$454,600

+141% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$83,857

+57% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$72,610

+48% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

37.3 yr

+4.9 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

42.3%

56.5%

+14.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

33.5%

+14.1 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

24.8 min

29.0 min

+4.2 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

1,064.4

+288% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,591.5

5,695.2

+258% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+0.9°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

43.0 in

+2.3 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

14.9

+31% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$20.41

+6% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Tacoma, WA

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 / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Allentown vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Tacoma?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Tacoma?: 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 Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Tacoma?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).