City Comparison

Allentown vs Gilbert

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

The Verdict

11.7%

Living in Allentown costs 11.7% less than Gilbert. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $84,949 in Gilbert.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
128
Gilbert
Groceries
101
Allentown
100
Gilbert
Utilities
102
Allentown
96
Gilbert
Transportation
103
Allentown
103
Gilbert
Healthcare
83
Allentown
95
Gilbert

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $84,949 in Gilbert.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gilbert equals $66,216 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Gilbert

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Gilbert'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 $1,700/mo in Gilbert, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 100 in Gilbert. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $475/month in Gilbert. 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 96 in Gilbert. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $384 in Gilbert. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 95 in Gilbert. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $94,518 in Gilbert. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $85,151 respectively. Gilbert 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 $2,205/month in Gilbert. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. 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

Allentown is 11.7% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,949 in Gilbert, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Gilbert's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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