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

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

The Verdict

10.1%

Augusta is 10.1% less expensive than Allentown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $68,112 in Augusta to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
72
Augusta
Groceries
101
Allentown
99
Augusta
Utilities
102
Allentown
108
Augusta
Transportation
103
Allentown
102
Augusta
Healthcare
83
Allentown
114
Augusta

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $68,112 in Augusta.

Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $82,584 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Augusta

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Augusta's 72, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $250,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $950/mo in Augusta, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 99 in Augusta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $470/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 108 in Augusta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $432 in Augusta. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 114 in Augusta. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $56,200 in Augusta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $63,146 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 $1,311/month in Augusta. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 10.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,112 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 72 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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