Cost of Living in Allentown, PA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $947 (excluding rent), and $2,708 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,645 (excluding rent), and $5,008 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.88 $19.88

$6.56 $6.56

$52.5 $52.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$127 $127

$71.4 $71.4

$255 $255

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.99 $9.99

$6.99 $6.99

$17.48 $17.48

Cappuccino

$6.06 $6.06

$3.56 $3.56

$9.16 $9.16

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.4 $2.4

$1.52 $1.52

$5.05 $5.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 $1.73

$1.48 $1.48

$3.95 $3.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.05 $5.05

$2.53 $2.53

$12.12 $12.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.14 $8.14

$4.58 $4.58

$15.25 $15.25

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.54 $0.54

$2.67 $2.67

White Bread (500g)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.93 $1.93

$9.72 $9.72

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.1 $2.1

$13.31 $13.31

Eggs

$3.2 $3.2

$1.69 $1.69

$10.29 $10.29

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.44 $14.44

$9.04 $9.04

$43.25 $43.25

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.67 $6.67

$24.54 $24.54

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.81 $19.81

$12.99 $12.99

$32.46 $32.46

Apples (1kg)

$7.35 $7.35

$2.17 $2.17

$11.95 $11.95

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.08 $1.08

$6.5 $6.5

Oranges (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.14 $2.14

$10.74 $10.74

Tomato (1kg)

$6.46 $6.46

$2.23 $2.23

$11.17 $11.17

Potato (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.57 $1.57

$8.95 $8.95

Onion (1kg)

$3.33 $3.33

$2.21 $2.21

$6.71 $6.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.46 $1.46

$5.17 $5.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.5 $2.5

$1.37 $1.37

$3.48 $3.48

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.14 $10.14

$9.12 $9.12

$21.29 $21.29

Wine (Bottle)

$14.76 $14.76

$7.88 $7.88

$24.61 $24.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.32 $1.32

$4.25 $4.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.37 $1.37

$7.19 $7.19

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.03 $2.03

$4.05 $4.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61 $61

$50.9 $50.9

$61 $61

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.1 $5.1

$3.07 $3.07

$8.18 $8.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.2 $2.2

$1.89 $1.89

$3.31 $3.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.97 $41.97

$29.98 $29.98

$44.97 $44.97

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$0.8 $0.8

$1.22 $1.22

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.9K $28.9K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.9K $35.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.5K $25.5K

$39.3K $39.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$155 $155

$90.9 $90.9

$303 $303

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$49.55 $49.55

$20.14 $20.14

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.3 $63.3

$50.3 $50.3

$101 $101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.52 $31.52

$20.12 $20.12

$40.24 $40.24

Cinema Ticket

$11.57 $11.57

$10.06 $10.06

$25.15 $25.15

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$844 $844

$497 $497

$4,139 $4,139

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.2K $11.2K

$10.4K $10.4K

$64.6K $64.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.86 $35.86

$20.15 $20.15

$90.7 $90.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.36 $48.36

$20.13 $20.13

$79.5 $79.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.9 $73.9

$40.09 $40.09

$150 $150

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60 $60

$44.98 $44.98

$250 $250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,502 $1,502

$936 $936

$2,463 $2,463

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,448 $1,448

$891 $891

$1,980 $1,980

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,428 $2,428

$2,158 $2,158

$4,414 $4,414

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,050 $2,050

$1,900 $1,900

$3,499 $3,499

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,567 $2,567

$2,148 $2,148

$3,759 $3,759

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,206 $2,206

$2,185 $2,185

$2,250 $2,250

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,887 $2,887

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Allentown, PA - Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown tends to offer a favorable balance between space, pace, and price compared with larger East Coast metros. For short stays and longer assignments, you’ll generally find more affordable housing options, reliable internet, and a growing set of cafés and coworking spaces that support work and downtime. The Cost of Living in Allentown, PA varies by neighborhood and season, but the city typically delivers value without sacrificing access to parks, culture, and transit. In Center City and nearby West End you’ll find walkable amenities, while a bit farther out you’ll often get more room for the money. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to understand rhythm before committing long-term.

Finding a place typically means weighing location against space and building type. Start online and then visit in person; central neighborhoods offer walkability, while suburbs give larger layouts at lower rents. For groceries and meals, you’ll see a mix of budget-friendly delis, ethnic markets, and mainstream supermarkets; farmers' markets seasonally boost fresh options. Public transit serves many corridors, and you’ll likely combine buses with biking or rideshares for longer trips. Coworking spaces cluster around downtown and riverfront pockets, with short-term passes available. Allentown, PA living cost varies by area, so budget for utilities and parking if you drive. Tip: Track utilities and transit costs against your rent to keep surprises away.

Quality of life in Allentown rises when you match a neighborhood to your routine and season. Focus on an area that minimizes driving if you want to cut fuel and parking stress, such as central or river-adjacent zones, and leave room for social and outdoor activities year-round. Use a simple budgeting framework: fixed housing, predictable groceries, and flexible leisure; track utilities by season and negotiate lease terms to avoid surprises. Explore free events, public parks, and cost-effective dining to stretch your budget. Tip: Start with a short trial in a couple of neighborhoods to feel the rhythm and assess noise, commute, and amenities.