CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Bowling Green, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableKY
Bowling Green
90.2
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Bowling Green is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $72,200 in Bowling Green. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing39.9%
Allentown
105.5
Bowling Green
63.4
🛒 Groceries4.4%
Allentown
100.6
Bowling Green
96.2
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Allentown
102.6
Bowling Green
101.7
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Allentown
92.9
Bowling Green
92
Utilities30.1%
Allentown
107.6
Bowling Green
75.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Allentown to see what you'd need to earn in Bowling Green to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Bowling Green, KY
$72,200
$7,800 less needed in Bowling Green

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9020. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Allentown, PA

Median Home Price
$349,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Bowling Green, KY

Median Home Price
$259,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
63.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Allentown has 39.9% lower housing costs compared to Bowling Green.

Income & Job Market

Allentown, PA

Median Household Income
$81,200
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
125,845
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailLogisticsFinance

Bowling Green, KY

Median Household Income
$60,600
Per Capita Income
$34,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
72,294
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailAutomotive

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Allentown, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Bowling Green, KY
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.