Atlantic City, NJ vs Allentown, PA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Allentown, PA is 1.1% more expensive than Atlantic City, NJ (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Atlantic City works out to about $75,800 in Allentown, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 6.9% more in Allentown. Goods are 0.8% higher and other services 0.2% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,841 a month in Allentown and $2,049 in Atlantic City, $2,496 a year less in Allentown (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $363,000 in Allentown and $383,000 in Atlantic City.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.7%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 6.9% higher in Allentown than in Atlantic City
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
All items Atlantic City, NJ: 98.9 Allentown, PA: 100.0
Goods Atlantic City, NJ: 99.8 Allentown, PA: 100.6
Housing (rents) Atlantic City, NJ: 98.7 Allentown, PA: 105.5
Utilities Atlantic City, NJ: 109.2 Allentown, PA: 107.6
Other services Atlantic City, NJ: 97.9 Allentown, PA: 97.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.9 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.8 | 100.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 98.7 | 105.5 |
| Utilities | 109.2 | 107.6 |
| Other services | 97.9 | 97.8 |
| Category | Atlantic City | Allentown | Allentown vs Atlantic City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.9 | 100.0 | +1.1% |
| Goods | 99.8 | 100.6 | +0.8% |
| Housing (rents) | 98.7 | 105.5 | +6.9% |
| Utilities | 109.2 | 107.6 | −1.5% |
| Other services | 97.9 | 97.8 | −0.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,049 | $1,841 | −10.2% |
| Typical home value | $383,000 | $363,000 | −5.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Atlantic City | $75,000 | $75,800 | +1.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Atlantic City and Allentown has narrowed since 2008: 9.7 points then, 1.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 110.7 | 101.1 |
| 2009 | 106.9 | 102.4 |
| 2010 | 108.8 | 101.1 |
| 2011 | 106.2 | 99.8 |
| 2012 | 104.6 | 99.9 |
| 2013 | 102.0 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 102.7 | 99.5 |
| 2015 | 103.2 | 100.9 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 101.1 |
| 2017 | 100.9 | 101.7 |
| 2018 | 100.8 | 99.2 |
| 2019 | 97.4 | 99.1 |
| 2020 | 101.2 | 99.7 |
| 2021 | 96.0 | 98.1 |
| 2022 | 100.2 | 98.1 |
| 2023 | 98.9 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 98.9 | 100.0 |
Goods
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.9 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 108.1 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 105.2 | 98.1 |
| 2011 | 107.0 | 98.2 |
| 2012 | 103.2 | 98.5 |
| 2013 | 98.6 | 98.9 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 98.6 |
| 2015 | 100.2 | 100.0 |
| 2016 | 102.7 | 99.1 |
| 2017 | 99.0 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.1 | 98.9 |
| 2021 | 95.5 | 95.7 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 97.5 |
| 2023 | 97.8 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 100.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 133.0 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 109.7 | 104.3 |
| 2010 | 122.7 | 108.5 |
| 2011 | 114.7 | 102.1 |
| 2012 | 112.7 | 103.7 |
| 2013 | 109.0 | 101.3 |
| 2014 | 113.2 | 103.6 |
| 2015 | 115.7 | 102.4 |
| 2016 | 107.6 | 103.0 |
| 2017 | 96.5 | 99.6 |
| 2018 | 106.2 | 99.0 |
| 2019 | 93.2 | 102.9 |
| 2020 | 106.8 | 101.5 |
| 2021 | 87.1 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 112.3 | 102.9 |
| 2023 | 99.4 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 98.7 | 105.5 |
Utilities
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 119.0 | 113.6 |
| 2009 | 127.1 | 116.2 |
| 2010 | 128.6 | 112.4 |
| 2011 | 128.0 | 114.0 |
| 2012 | 126.8 | 108.3 |
| 2013 | 126.1 | 107.1 |
| 2014 | 106.9 | 105.3 |
| 2015 | 101.5 | 104.7 |
| 2016 | 103.2 | 108.0 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 111.2 |
| 2018 | 110.7 | 113.1 |
| 2019 | 114.8 | 113.4 |
| 2020 | 114.5 | 110.7 |
| 2021 | 110.3 | 108.3 |
| 2022 | 105.0 | 108.8 |
| 2023 | 108.2 | 115.5 |
| 2024 | 109.2 | 107.6 |
Other services
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.0 | 100.6 |
| 2009 | 103.6 | 101.8 |
| 2010 | 103.4 | 100.5 |
| 2011 | 100.4 | 99.6 |
| 2012 | 100.3 | 99.3 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 101.5 |
| 2014 | 101.1 | 98.7 |
| 2015 | 99.7 | 101.0 |
| 2016 | 100.3 | 101.5 |
| 2017 | 104.1 | 103.0 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 98.8 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 99.8 | 100.0 |
| 2022 | 97.0 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 97.9 | 97.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,841 in Allentown vs $2,049 in Atlantic City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,011 | $1,029 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,019 | $1,041 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,004 | $1,053 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,001 | $1,044 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,057 | $1,057 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,042 | $1,066 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,007 | $1,077 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,010 | $1,075 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,051 | $1,098 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,056 | $1,109 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,038 | $1,118 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,065 | $1,124 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,098 | $1,140 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,099 | $1,152 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,091 | $1,166 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,100 | $1,156 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,139 | $1,173 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,127 | $1,199 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,115 | $1,212 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,141 | $1,212 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,176 | $1,228 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,163 | $1,241 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,230 | $1,283 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,223 | $1,318 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,288 | $1,339 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,396 | $1,415 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,442 | $1,473 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,487 | $1,511 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,575 | $1,545 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,659 | $1,592 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,647 | $1,596 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,658 | $1,586 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,684 | $1,624 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,753 | $1,642 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,735 | $1,665 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,808 | $1,654 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,823 | $1,671 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,849 | $1,703 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,832 | $1,729 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,853 | $1,730 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,922 | $1,744 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,956 | $1,768 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,923 | $1,786 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,944 | $1,781 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,052 | $1,807 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,024 | $1,830 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,049 | $1,841 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $363,000 in Allentown vs $383,000 in Atlantic City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Allentown, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Allentown, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $190K | $187K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $189K | $187K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $188K | $190K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $187K | $191K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $185K | $192K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $182K | $193K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $178K | $194K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $174K | $196K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $174K | $198K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $175K | $200K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $178K | $202K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $181K | $204K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $181K | $207K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $183K | $209K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $188K | $212K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $192K | $214K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $197K | $215K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $200K | $217K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $202K | $218K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $206K | $221K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $211K | $226K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $214K | $230K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $218K | $234K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $231K | $246K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $243K | $258K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $256K | $269K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $268K | $274K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $277K | $277K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $288K | $291K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $300K | $305K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $301K | $306K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $303K | $307K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $311K | $308K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $319K | $314K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $328K | $322K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $334K | $326K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $341K | $332K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $350K | $338K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $355K | $341K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $360K | $344K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $364K | $347K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $367K | $348K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $368K | $352K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $372K | $354K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $378K | $357K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $381K | $359K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $383K | $363K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.