CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Riverside, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
CA
Riverside
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Allentown is moderately cheaper than Riverside — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $85,100 in Riverside. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+22.6%
Allentown
105.5
Riverside
129.3
🛒 Groceries+0.8%
Allentown
100.6
Riverside
101.4
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Allentown
102.6
Riverside
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Allentown
92.9
Riverside
96.2
Utilities+38.1%
Allentown
107.6
Riverside
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$85,100
$5,100 more needed in Riverside

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.0640. 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×

Riverside, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Riverside has 22.6% 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

Riverside, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
314,998
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducationRetail

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)

Riverside, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.