CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Louisville, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableKY
Louisville
93.1
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Louisville is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $74,500 in Louisville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.5%
Allentown
105.5
Louisville
78.6
🛒 Groceries4.4%
Allentown
100.6
Louisville
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Allentown
102.6
Louisville
101.6
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Allentown
92.9
Louisville
92
Utilities30.3%
Allentown
107.6
Louisville
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Louisville, KY
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Louisville

Formula: salary × (93.1 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9310. 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×

Louisville, KY

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Allentown has 25.5% lower housing costs compared to Louisville.

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

Louisville, KY

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
633,045
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsEducationAgriculture

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)

Louisville, KY
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.