Rents are 5% below what Allentown's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,735 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Allentown, PA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Allentown, PA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Allentown, PA has shifted from $1,307 to $1,735, up 32.7% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Allentown, PA now reports about $55,494, up from $47,703 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 58.5% to 56.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Allentown, PA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Allentown on your salary?
At $1,735/mo, how Allentown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Allentown rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Allentown. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Allentown
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Allentown is $1,735/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,038/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,518/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,938/mo.
At 38% of local median household income ($55,494/yr), Allentown ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allentown an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Allentown?
Which Allentown neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Allentown rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
What percentage of Allentown residents rent vs. own?
How does Allentown rent compare to the national average?
At $1,735/mo, rent takes ~38% of Allentown's median household income ($55,494/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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