Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Allentown, PA (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Bellevue is 216% more expensive than Allentown.

$2,505/mo ↑ 97%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↓ 49%
$161,300/yr ↑ 202%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 67%
$1,203,100 ↑ 537%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 84%
$2,586/mo ↑ 108%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↓ 52%
151,199
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.07%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,236/month cheaper in Allentown, saving renters about $14,832/year.

Median household income is $107,897/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Pennsylvania's 3.07% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Allentown — common questions

Is Bellevue or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Allentown is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Allentown?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $1,236/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Allentown?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $107,897/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Pennsylvania?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Bellevue details → View Allentown details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Bellevue and Allentown

Bellevue vs. Charleston Bellevue vs. Escondido Bellevue vs. Roseville Bellevue vs. Jackson Bellevue vs. Hollywood Bellevue vs. Joliet Allentown vs. Thousand Oaks Allentown vs. Palm Bay Allentown vs. Simi Valley Allentown vs. Meridian Allentown vs. Pearland Allentown vs. Vallejo