CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Allentown, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Abilene is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $88,500 in Allentown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+43.0%
Abilene
73.8
Allentown
105.5
🛒 Groceries+7.2%
Abilene
93.8
Allentown
100.6
🚗 Transportation+1.5%
Abilene
101.1
Allentown
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Abilene
91.4
Allentown
92.9
Utilities+32.5%
Abilene
81.2
Allentown
107.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Allentown, PA
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Allentown

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.1062. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Allentown, PA

Median Home Price
$349,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Allentown has 43.0% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Allentown, PA

Median Household Income
$81,200
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
125,845
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailLogisticsFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Allentown, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.