Median rent is 9% lower in Allentown ($1,317/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Allentown, where the median home runs $206,600 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $55,494 a year). Taken together, Allentown is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.9 against 102.5 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Allentown is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.9 in Allentown vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Allentown, PA
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Allentown, PA?
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$77,735
You'd need $2,735 more (4% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Allentown
Pennsylvania
Chicago
Illinois
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Allentown at $1,317/mo compared to $1,440/mo in Chicago (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $206,600 in Allentown — 38% more expensive.
Metric
Allentown
Chicago
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Allentown
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Allentown.
Pick Allentown if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.9 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Allentown is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Allentown.
Median rent is $1,317/mo in Allentown, PA and $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL. Allentown, PA has the lower rent by about 9%.
Median household income is $55,494 in Allentown, PA and $77,902 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Allentown, PA is equivalent to roughly $103,647 in Chicago, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
