Allentown vs Morgantown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Morgantown
The Verdict
Living in Morgantown costs 8.9% less than Allentown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $68,878 in Morgantown.
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 $68,878 in Morgantown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $81,667 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Morgantown
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $259,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $451/month in Morgantown. Morgantown 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 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $364 in Morgantown. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 88 in Morgantown. 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 $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $49,667 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 $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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