CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Pittsburgh is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 5.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $75,800 in Pittsburgh. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing31.8%
Allentown
105.5
Pittsburgh
72
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Allentown
100.6
Pittsburgh
100.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Allentown
102.6
Pittsburgh
102.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Allentown
92.9
Pittsburgh
92.8
Utilities≈ Equal
Allentown
107.6
Pittsburgh
107.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$75,800
$4,200 less needed in Pittsburgh

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9470. 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×

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Home Price
$218,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
72
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Allentown has 31.8% lower housing costs compared to Pittsburgh.

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Household Income
$72,500
Per Capita Income
$41,300
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
302,971
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyFinanceEducationManufacturing

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)

Pittsburgh, PA
4.2×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.