Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Allentown, PA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Allentown, PA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $2,712 in Allentown, PA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $3,833 in Allentown, PA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $4,954 in Allentown, PA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 66% more than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Allentown, PA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 236%, Allentown, PA by 102%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$20.26 $20.26

49.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$124 $124

15.25%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$9.80 $9.80

29.08%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.91 $5.91

-1.69%

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

$3.26 $3.26

$2.31 $2.31

41.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$1.70 $1.70

51.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$4.99 $4.99

64.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$7.91 $7.91

49.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.23 $1.23

24.39%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$2.18 $2.18

141.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$2.42 $2.42

244.63%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$3.19 $3.19

127.27%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$14.75 $14.75

17.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$6.49 $6.49

149.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$19.85 $19.85

-0.15%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$7.24 $7.24

4.56%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.48 $1.48

63.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$2.80 $2.80

108.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$6.55 $6.55

-2.44%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$2.60 $2.60

48.85%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.24 $3.24

25.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.25 $2.25

38.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.47 $2.47

-0.81%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$9.84 $9.84

95.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$14.85 $14.85

34.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.27 $2.27

31.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.71 $2.71

37.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.28 $2.28

24.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$60.2 $60.2

123.19%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.85 $4.85

5.36%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.16 $2.16

-2.31%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$41.96 $41.96

0.83%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.91 $0.91

6.59%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$29.6K $29.6K

17.16%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$26.8K $26.8K

3.90%

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

$181 $181

$151 $151

20.04%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$48.27 $48.27

24.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$62.0 $62.0

0.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$31.73 $31.73

351.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$11.58 $11.58

72.54%

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

$3,216 $3,216

$848 $848

279.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$11.2K $11.2K

412.36%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$36.25 $36.25

86.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$48.43 $48.43

-1.55%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$72.8 $72.8

52.78%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$59.7 $59.7

182.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$1,553 $1,553

163.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$1,480 $1,480

82.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$2,457 $2,457

243.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$2,073 $2,073

147.39%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$2,544 $2,544

614.65%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

$2,183 $2,183

188.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$2,947 $2,947

88.01%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

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

Last update for New York, NY: June 1, 2026

Last update for Allentown, PA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $1,553 in Allentown, PA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 88% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $142 in New York, NY versus $124 in Allentown, PA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $554 vs $381 – making Allentown, PA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New York, NY vs Allentown, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 66% more than Allentown, PA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $4,068 in Allentown, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Allentown, PA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Public transport costs about 123% less in Allentown, PA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $3,216 per month in New York, NY and $848 in Allentown, PA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,503 in New York, NY and $2,712 in Allentown, PA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Allentown, PA costs $2,712 versus $4,503 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Allentown, PA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.