City Comparison

Allentown vs Davenport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

The Verdict

18.1%

Davenport is 18.1% less expensive than Allentown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $63,520 in Davenport to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
60
Davenport
Groceries
101
Allentown
97
Davenport
Utilities
102
Allentown
83
Davenport
Transportation
103
Allentown
105
Davenport
Healthcare
83
Allentown
97
Davenport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $63,520 in Davenport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $88,554 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Davenport

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $212,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $461/month in Davenport. 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 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $332 in Davenport. 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 97 in Davenport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $79,759 respectively. Davenport 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 $1,545/month in Davenport. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport is 18.1% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,520 in Davenport, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Davenport's is 60 with median homes at $212,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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