City Comparison

Allentown vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

33.3%

Living in Allentown costs 33.3% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $112,500 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
210
Concord
Groceries
101
Allentown
112
Concord
Utilities
102
Allentown
147
Concord
Transportation
103
Allentown
137
Concord
Healthcare
83
Allentown
121
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $112,500 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $50,000 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Concord

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $680,000. The $448,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $1,125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $532/month in Concord. Allentown offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $588 in Concord. 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 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $74,150 respectively. Concord 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 $2,543/month in Concord. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 101 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 33.3% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $112,500 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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