City Comparison

Allentown vs London

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

14.8%

Living in Allentown costs 14.8% less than London. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $88,010 in London.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
162
London
Groceries
101
Allentown
92
London
Utilities
102
Allentown
112
London
Transportation
103
Allentown
125
London
Healthcare
83
Allentown
78
London

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $88,010 in London.

Conversely, $75,000 in London equals $63,913 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs London

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower London's 162, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $695,000. The $463,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $2,400/mo in London, a monthly difference of $1,175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 92 in London. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $437/month in London. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 112 in London. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $448 in London. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 78 in London. 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 $55,000 in London. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $47,826 respectively. Allentown residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,283/month in London. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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

Allentown is 14.8% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,010 in London, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while London's is 162 with median homes at $695,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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