City Comparison

Allentown vs St Cloud

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

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

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

The Verdict

8.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.9%, with St Cloud being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to $68,878 in St Cloud.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
82
St Cloud
Groceries
101
Allentown
101
St Cloud
Utilities
102
Allentown
95
St Cloud
Transportation
103
Allentown
99
St Cloud
Healthcare
83
Allentown
100
St Cloud

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $68,878 in St Cloud.

Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $81,667 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs St Cloud

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher St Cloud's 82, 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 $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $480/month in St Cloud. 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 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 100 in St Cloud. 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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $66,889 respectively. St Cloud 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St Cloud is 8.9% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,878 in St Cloud, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while St Cloud's is 82 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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