CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lincoln is moderately cheaper than Allentown — 8.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $73,300 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing20.2%
Allentown
105.5
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Allentown
100.6
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Allentown
102.6
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare5.0%
Allentown
92.9
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities28.6%
Allentown
107.6
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$73,300
$6,700 less needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9160. 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×

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Allentown has 20.2% lower housing costs compared to Lincoln.

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

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

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)

Lincoln, NE
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.