City Comparison

Allentown vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

16.9%

Living in Allentown costs 16.9% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $90,306 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
137
New Haven
Groceries
101
Allentown
106
New Haven
Utilities
102
Allentown
124
New Haven
Transportation
103
Allentown
102
New Haven
Healthcare
83
Allentown
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $90,306 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $62,288 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $250,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $504/month in New Haven. 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 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 16.9% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,306 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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