CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Columbus, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 10.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $71,400 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing42.0%
Allentown
105.5
Columbus
61.2
🛒 Groceries4.3%
Allentown
100.6
Columbus
96.3
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Allentown
102.6
Columbus
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Allentown
92.9
Columbus
93.6
Utilities16.6%
Allentown
107.6
Columbus
89.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, GA
$71,400
$8,600 less needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (89.3 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.8930. 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×

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Allentown has 42.0% lower housing costs compared to Columbus.

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

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.