Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Virginia Beach

Virginia

$1,550/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 $1,550 in Virginia Beach, VA. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Virginia Beach, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $90,685 in Virginia Beach, VA — about 41% higher in Virginia Beach, VA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Virginia Beach, VA

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$1,496
+43% in Virginia Beach, VA
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,357
+23% in Virginia Beach, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,559
+23% in Virginia Beach, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$1,857
+30% in Virginia Beach, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$366,300
+94% in Virginia Beach, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$90,685
+70% in Virginia Beach, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$49,430
+1% in Virginia Beach, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
37.4 yr
+5.0 yr in Virginia Beach, VA
Homeownership
42.3%
64.9%
+22.6 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
40.4%
+21.0 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Avg Commute
24.8 min
23.2 min
+1.6 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
96.9
+65% in Allentown, PA
Property Crime
1,591.5
1,664.9
+5% in Virginia Beach, VA

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
59.9°F
+8.7°F in Virginia Beach, VA
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
44.3 in
+1.0 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
17.6
+18% in Allentown, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$23.66
+23% in Virginia Beach, VA

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 Virginia Beach, VA
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 / VA)
6%
5.3%
+0.7 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
5.75%
+2.7 pp in VA

Allentown vs Virginia Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Virginia Beach?
Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Virginia Beach, VA's $1,550, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Virginia Beach?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Virginia Beach?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Virginia Beach under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).