City Comparison

Allentown vs Aurora

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Aurora

Colorado
124
Expensive
$410,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$84,300
Median Income

The Verdict

21.0%

Living in Allentown costs 21.0% less than Aurora. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $94,898 in Aurora.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
174
Aurora
Groceries
101
Allentown
102
Aurora
Utilities
102
Allentown
87
Aurora
Transportation
103
Allentown
104
Aurora
Healthcare
83
Allentown
119
Aurora

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $94,898 in Aurora.

Conversely, $75,000 in Aurora equals $59,274 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Aurora

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Aurora's 174, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $410,000. The $178,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,568 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,750/mo in Aurora, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 102 in Aurora. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $485/month in Aurora. 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 87 in Aurora. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $348 in Aurora. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 119 in Aurora. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $84,300 in Aurora. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $67,984 respectively. Aurora 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 $1,967/month in Aurora. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 21.0% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 124.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,898 in Aurora, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Aurora's is 174 with median homes at $410,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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