City Comparison

Allentown vs Denton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

The Verdict

9.3%

Allentown is 9.3% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $82,653 in Denton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
126
Denton
Groceries
101
Allentown
98
Denton
Utilities
102
Allentown
90
Denton
Transportation
103
Allentown
87
Denton
Healthcare
83
Allentown
81
Denton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $82,653 in Denton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $68,056 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Denton

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Denton's 126, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $385,000. The $153,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $466/month in Denton. 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 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $360 in Denton. 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 81 in Denton. 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 $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $68,241 respectively. Denton 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 $1,720/month in Denton. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,653 in Denton, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Denton's is 126 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases