Allentown vs Des Moines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Des Moines
The Verdict
Des Moines is 10.1% less expensive than Allentown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $68,112 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $68,112 in Des Moines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Des Moines equals $82,584 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Des Moines
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Des Moines's 74, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $210,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,100/mo in Des Moines, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 96 in Des Moines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $456/month in Des Moines. 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 93 in Des Moines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $372 in Des Moines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 97 in Des Moines. 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 $55,958 in Des Moines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $62,874 respectively. Des Moines 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 $1,306/month in Des Moines. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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