CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Allentown is slightly cheaper than Providence — 1.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $81,400 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing1.5%
Allentown
105.5
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Allentown
100.6
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Allentown
102.6
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Allentown
92.9
Providence
97.2
Utilities+38.3%
Allentown
107.6
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$81,400
$1,400 more needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.0180. 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×

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Allentown has 1.5% lower housing costs compared to Providence.

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

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

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)

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.