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

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

16.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.7%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $64,286 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
67
Springfield
Groceries
101
Allentown
94
Springfield
Utilities
102
Allentown
79
Springfield
Transportation
103
Allentown
90
Springfield
Healthcare
83
Allentown
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $64,286 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $87,500 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $225,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $316 in Springfield. 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 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 16.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,286 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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