City Comparison

Allentown vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

2.0%

Living in Allentown costs 2.0% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $76,531 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
94
Irving
Groceries
101
Allentown
99
Irving
Utilities
102
Allentown
111
Irving
Transportation
103
Allentown
97
Irving
Healthcare
83
Allentown
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $76,531 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $73,500 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Irving

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $318,000. The $86,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $444 in Irving. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 2.0% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,531 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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