City Comparison

Allentown vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

25.6%

Living in Springfield costs 25.6% less than Allentown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $59,694 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
52
Springfield
Groceries
101
Allentown
98
Springfield
Utilities
102
Allentown
98
Springfield
Transportation
103
Allentown
114
Springfield
Healthcare
83
Allentown
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $59,694 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $94,231 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $162,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 25.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,694 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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