CostIndexUSA

Albuquerque, NM vs Allentown, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNM
Albuquerque
95.5
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Albuquerque is slightly cheaper than Allentown — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $83,800 in Allentown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+18.3%
Albuquerque
89.2
Allentown
105.5
🛒 Groceries+4.7%
Albuquerque
96.1
Allentown
100.6
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Albuquerque
103.5
Allentown
102.6
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Albuquerque
93.6
Allentown
92.9
Utilities+38.1%
Albuquerque
77.9
Allentown
107.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Allentown, PA
$83,800
$3,800 more needed in Allentown

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.0471. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
89.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Allentown, PA

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

Allentown has 18.3% higher housing costs compared to Albuquerque.

Income & Job Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Household Income
$67,600
Per Capita Income
$38,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
564,559
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationMilitaryTechnology

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).

Albuquerque, NM
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.