CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Portland, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
OR
Portland
105.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Allentown is moderately cheaper than Portland — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $84,300 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+18.6%
Allentown
105.5
Portland
125.1
🛒 Groceries+4.6%
Allentown
100.6
Portland
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Allentown
102.6
Portland
105.1
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Allentown
92.9
Portland
95.1
Utilities0.6%
Allentown
107.6
Portland
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$84,300
$4,300 more needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (105.4 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.0540. 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×

Portland, OR

Median Home Price
$536,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
125.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Portland has 18.6% higher housing costs compared to Allentown.

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

Portland, OR

Median Household Income
$94,900
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
652,503
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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)

Portland, OR
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.