City Comparison

Allentown vs Augusta

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania
98
Average
$232,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Augusta

Georgia
80
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

The Verdict

22.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.5%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $61,224 in Augusta.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
109
Allentown
62
Augusta
Groceries
101
Allentown
96
Augusta
Utilities
102
Allentown
104
Augusta
Transportation
103
Allentown
89
Augusta
Healthcare
83
Allentown
81
Augusta

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $61,224 in Augusta.

Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $91,875 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Augusta

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Augusta's 62, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $225,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,075/mo in Augusta, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 96 in Augusta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $456/month in Augusta. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 104 in Augusta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $416 in Augusta. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 81 in Augusta. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $55,500 in Augusta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $69,375 respectively. Augusta residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,295/month in Augusta. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 22.5% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,224 in Augusta, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Augusta's is 62 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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