CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Lakeland, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableFL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent

Lakeland is slightly cheaper than Allentown — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $77,700 in Lakeland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing9.1%
Allentown
105.5
Lakeland
95.9
🛒 Groceries4.4%
Allentown
100.6
Lakeland
96.2
🚗 Transportation+1.2%
Allentown
102.6
Lakeland
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.1%
Allentown
92.9
Lakeland
93.9
Utilities19.2%
Allentown
107.6
Lakeland
86.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lakeland, FL
$77,700
$2,300 less needed in Lakeland

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9710. 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×

Lakeland, FL

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,825
Housing Index
95.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5×

Allentown has 9.1% lower housing costs compared to Lakeland.

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

Lakeland, FL

Median Household Income
$66,900
Per Capita Income
$38,100
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
119,428
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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)

Lakeland, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.