Allentown vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Dublin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.8%, with Allentown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $79,592 in Dublin.
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 $79,592 in Dublin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $70,673 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Dublin
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $470,000. The $238,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,468 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $451/month in Dublin. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $440 in Dublin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 82 in Dublin. 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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $53,846 respectively. Allentown residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,307/month in Dublin. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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