Cost of Living in Allentown, PA
| Cost of Living in Allentown, PA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 30% higher | 9% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 6% lower | 2% higher |
| Food | 1% lower | 2% lower |
| Healthcare | 9% lower | 17% lower |
| Transportation | 1% lower | 2% higher |
| Goods & Services | 1% lower | 0% |
The cost of living in Allentown, PA is 6% higher than the state average and 2% higher than the national average. Allentown, PA housing is 9% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 2% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% cheaper in Allentown, PA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 0% .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 17% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 0% in Allentown, PA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Allentown is $1,662, while home prices circle around $559,825.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Allentown, energy bills cost around $215.25 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.62 in Allentown, a dozen eggs go for around $4.16 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.60.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Allentown, an optometry check-up costs around $126.43, while a dentist appointment is priced $123.26 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.27 in Allentown, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $68.85.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $34.74 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $35.96.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Allentown, you should budget around $13.22 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $25.42, while dry cleaning costs about $16.82.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Allentown, the median household income is $55,494.