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

Oregon
107
Above Average
$378,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$57,600
Median Income

The Verdict

8.4%

Living in Allentown costs 8.4% less than Springfield. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $81,888 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
116
Springfield
Groceries
101
Allentown
101
Springfield
Utilities
102
Allentown
96
Springfield
Transportation
103
Allentown
107
Springfield
Healthcare
83
Allentown
102
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $81,888 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $68,692 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $378,000. The $146,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,492 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $480/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 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 102 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $53,832 respectively. Allentown residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,344/month in Springfield. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Allentown is 8.4% more affordable overall with an index of 98 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,888 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 116 with median homes at $378,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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