CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs College Station, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableTX
College Station
91
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

College Station is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $72,800 in College Station. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.8%
Allentown
105.5
College Station
75.1
🛒 Groceries6.8%
Allentown
100.6
College Station
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.5%
Allentown
102.6
College Station
101.1
🏥 Healthcare1.6%
Allentown
92.9
College Station
91.4
Utilities21.6%
Allentown
107.6
College Station
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in College Station, TX
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in College Station

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9100. 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×

College Station, TX

Median Home Price
$301,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
75.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Allentown has 28.8% lower housing costs compared to College Station.

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

College Station, TX

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Population
120,511
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareGovernmentResearch

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)

College Station, TX
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% 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.