Living Cost Compare
Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 50% higher in Washington, DC. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$1,043
$1,763
+69% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$1,100
$1,885
+71% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,271
$1,949
+53% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,431
$2,249
+57% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$188,900
$724,600
+284% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$53,403
$106,287
+99% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,990
$71,060
+45% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
34.9 yr
+2.5 yr in Washington, DC
Homeownership
42.3%
41.1%
+1.2 pp in Allentown, PA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
19.4%
63.6%
+44.2 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
24.8 min
30.3 min
+5.5 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
274.5
936.3
+241% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
1,591.5
3,627.9
+128% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+7.0°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
45.4 in
39.7 in
+5.6 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 WMATA (Metrobus) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
25.4
+18% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$22.01
+15% in Washington, DC

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 Washington, DC
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 / DC)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
10.75%
+7.7 pp in DC

Allentown vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Washington?
Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Washington?
Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% 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).