Allentown vs Plano
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Plano
The Verdict
Allentown is 10.1% less expensive than Plano overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $83,418 in Plano to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $83,418 in Plano.
Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $67,431 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Plano
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $400,000. The $168,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,920 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $466/month in Plano. 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 100 in Plano. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $88,393 respectively. Plano 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 $2,248/month in Plano. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases