Allentown, PA Utility & Living Guide

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Allentown, PA Utility & Living Guide

Allentown is a city in eastern Pennsylvania, United States. The county seat of Lehigh County, it is the third-most populous city in Pennsylvania, with a population of 125,845 as of the 2020 census. It is also the most populous city in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which had a population of 86

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$305/mo
1BR Rent$1200/mo
Sales Tax7.5%
COL Index105 (+5% above national average)
Family Score6/10
Median Home$320,000
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⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Allentown
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💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$120/mo

PPL Electric Utilities
🔥 Gas

$50/mo

UGI Utilities
💧 Water

$45/mo

Allentown Water Department
🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

Allentown Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste
📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$305/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1200/mo
2 Bedrooms$1600/mo
3 Bedrooms$2100/mo
Median Home Price$320,000
Property Tax Rate1.2%
Avg Childcare/mo$1000

The housing market in Allentown is competitive, with rising demand for single-family homes. Prices have increased steadily over the past few years due to limited inventory.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

98

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax7.5%
Property Tax Rate1.2%
<p>State 6% + County 1% + City 0.5%</p>

Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate of 3.07%.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
6/10
Safety Index

50

Higher = safer
School Rating

6.5/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Purple description
Business Momentum
Moderate with key industries in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics
Top Local Concerns
Affordable housing, public safety, infrastructure
🚌 Transit for Families

Public transit in Allentown is moderately accessible, with some buses equipped with ramps for strollers.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Lehigh Valley Zoo
  • 🎯
    Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
  • 🎯
    Da Vinci Science Center

Best Neighborhoods for Families

West End and East Side are popular for families due to good schools and parks. These areas offer a mix of historic homes and newer developments.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Allentown based on your household profile.

Financial Tools

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📊 Allentown — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income
$47,703
👤 Median Age
31.9
🏠 Homeownership Rate
41.5%
🔑 Renter Rate
58.5%
📉 Poverty Rate
23.3%
💼 Unemployment Rate
9.6%
📡 Internet Access
82.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.3%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs peak in winter due to heating needs and in summer due to air conditioning usage. Spring and fall typically see lower utility bills.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

Key ZIP code level tax info: property tax millage rates vary by school district, with Allentown School District having higher rates. No local surtaxes specific to Allentown county.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

7/10 with explanation: sidewalks are generally well-maintained, parks are accessible, but elevator access in transit is limited.

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