Columbia vs Allentown: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Columbia, MO and Allentown, PA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Allentown, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,172 | 125,292 |
| Median household income | $60,455 | $52,449 |
| Median home value | $248,600 | $168,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $997 | $1,202 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Columbia, MO and Allentown, PA comes down to what you value most. Allentown has the lower median home value, and Columbia has the lower median rent.
Columbia has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Allentown?
- By median home value, Allentown is the cheaper of the two ($168,800 vs $248,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Columbia or Allentown?
- Median household income is $60,455 in Columbia versus $52,449 in Allentown, per the US Census Bureau.