Cost of Living: Palmdale, CA vs Allentown, PA (2026)

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Palmdale is 65% more expensive than Allentown.

$1,736/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↓ 27%
$81,151/yr ↑ 52%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 34%
$435,300 ↑ 130%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 57%
$1,831/mo ↑ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↓ 32%
165,487
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
3.07%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $467/month cheaper in Allentown, saving renters about $5,604/year.

Median household income is $27,748/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Pennsylvania has a lower income tax rate, making Allentown slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Allentown — common questions

Is Palmdale or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Allentown is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Allentown?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $467/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Allentown?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $27,748/year higher in Palmdale.
How do taxes compare between California and Pennsylvania?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Palmdale or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Allentown details →

More Comparisons

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