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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Santa Clara is 289% more expensive than Allentown.

$2,985/mo ↑ 135%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↓ 57%
$173,670/yr ↑ 225%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 69%
$1,527,900 ↑ 709%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 88%
$3,051/mo ↑ 145%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↓ 59%
129,239
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

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,716/month cheaper in Allentown, saving renters about $20,592/year.

Median household income is $120,267/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Allentown — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Allentown is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Allentown?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $1,716/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Allentown?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $120,267/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View Allentown details →

More Comparisons

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