City Comparison

Allentown vs Killeen

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

16.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.7%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $64,286 in Killeen.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
56
Killeen
Groceries
101
Allentown
96
Killeen
Utilities
102
Allentown
108
Killeen
Transportation
103
Allentown
95
Killeen
Healthcare
83
Allentown
96
Killeen

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $64,286 in Killeen.

Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $87,500 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Killeen

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $235,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $432 in Killeen. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 16.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,286 in Killeen, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Killeen's is 56 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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