CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Milwaukee, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Milwaukee is slightly cheaper than Allentown — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $77,500 in Milwaukee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.0%
Allentown
105.5
Milwaukee
97.1
🛒 Groceries6.8%
Allentown
100.6
Milwaukee
93.8
🚗 Transportation+1.8%
Allentown
102.6
Milwaukee
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Allentown
92.9
Milwaukee
94.4
Utilities14.9%
Allentown
107.6
Milwaukee
91.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Milwaukee

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 100) = salary × 0.9690. 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×

Milwaukee, WI

Median Home Price
$363,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9×

Allentown has 8.0% lower housing costs compared to Milwaukee.

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

Milwaukee, WI

Median Household Income
$77,000
Per Capita Income
$43,900
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
577,222
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationRetail

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)

Milwaukee, WI
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.