Allentown

The Lehigh River runs next to Allentown.
The Soldier and Sailors Monument sits at the center of Allentown.
The Soldier and Sailors Monument sits at the center of Allentown.
The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market is always packed.
The Lehigh River provides a scenic backdrop.

Allentown, PA Area Guide

Live in the heart of the Lehigh Valley

Historic Dynamic Cultured Family-Friendly Active Riverside

Located in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, Allentown combines city convenience with neighborhood charm. The downtown area continues to grow, centered around the PPL Center arena, with an expanding selection of restaurants and cultural venues. The city's architecture tells its story through preserved Victorian homes in historic districts and craftsman-style houses along the West End's tree-lined streets. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Lehigh Parkway and Cedar Beach, which offer miles of trails and recreational spaces. Allentown is also home to Muhlenberg College and Cedar Crest College, contributing to the city's educational landscape.

Housing choices include downtown apartments in restored buildings and homes throughout established neighborhoods. The rental market remains stable, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,415, showing a 1.64% annual increase. Residential options span from the Old Allentown district to the West End and East Side communities. The city's economy continues to evolve, particularly in the healthcare and technology sectors. Local landmarks include the Allentown Art Museum, Miller Symphony Hall, and the Allentown Fairgrounds, home to the Great Allentown Fair since 1852. The city holds significant historical importance - during the Revolutionary War, the Liberty Bell found sanctuary in Allentown's Zion Reformed Church after being evacuated from Philadelphia in 1777.

Explore the City

The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market is always packed.

The Lehigh River provides a scenic backdrop.

The Soldier and Sailors Monument sits at the center of Allentown.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Allentown, PA is $1,217 for a studio, $1,459 for one bedroom, $1,806 for two bedrooms, and $2,286 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Allentown has increased by 2.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,459/month
699 Sq Ft
House
$2,159/month
1,123 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,128/month
1,144 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,355/month
1,645 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Allentown, PA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Allentown, PA is 1.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Allentown is 7.6% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,217 - $2,286. You can expect to pay 2.4% less for groceries, 3.4% more for utilities, and 4.8% more for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Allentown, PA is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

65 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Some Transit

29 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Somewhat Bikeable

42 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Cetronia School

Public

Grades K-5

Parkway Manor School

Public

Grades K-5

Kratzer School

Public

Grades K-5

Lehigh Park El School

Public

Grades K-5

Salisbury Middle School

Public

Grades K-8

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Da Vinci Science Center
  • Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Lost River Caverns
  • Trexler Nature Preserve
  • Lehigh Valley Zoo

Airports

  • Lehigh Valley International

Top Apartments in Allentown

Houses for Rent in Allentown

Property Management Companies in Allentown, PA

Living in Allentown

Restaurants

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With over 1,000 restaurants in Allentown, you are sure to find your favorite place to grab a bite to eat when finding an apartment in the city. Enjoy Middle Eastern food at Damascus Restaurant, grab a beer and a meal at the Allentown Brew Works, or dine at the many other fine restaurants, pubs and sandwich shops. There is something for everyone from good ol' fashion American cuisine to ethnic Mexican, Greek, Chinese and Vietnamese delights.

Transportation

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Getting around Allentown from your apartment is an easy trip. Allentown has a walkable downtown area where you can reach most businesses and shops by hoofing it or bicycling along the tree-lined streets. Allentown, PA also has a a bus system called LANta which services the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and surrounding municipalities. There are 23 fixed routes and 10 special routes. Some offer everyday service and others operate during certain times of the year - such as extra bus routes available only during the school year.

In addition to the LANta bus service, there is also the shared ride service available by reservation called the LANtaFlex. You can travel through a designated curb-to-curb area or use the service to reach a location point that is serviced through the bus system. If you require special door-to-door service due to a disability or for the elderly, you can use the LANtaVan service.

Shopping

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There are numerous malls and shopping centers in the Lehigh Valley region for people living in Allentown as well as in Bethlehem and Easton. In Allentown itself, the South Mall has 55 stores, from small boutiques to larger designer clothing stores. For a larger shopping experience, you can head out to the Lehigh Valley Mall located north of Allentown in the city of Whitehall as it is the largest shopping center in Lehigh Valley. There are 150 stores, from nationally-recognized clothing stores to smaller boutiques.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.