True Cost of Renting in Allentown, PA

Allentown anchors the Lehigh Valley — the fastest-growing metro area in Pennsylvania. The NIZ (Neighborhood Improvement Zone) tax incentive has driven major Downtown redevelopment since 2012, including the PPL Center arena and the Renaissance Hotel. PPL Electric Utilities serves the area at competitive Pennsylvania rates. The Lehigh Valley's proximity to NYC (90 miles) has attracted distribution and logistics operations that employ tens of thousands.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

West End

Studio:
$950/mo
1 Bed:
$1,200/mo
2 Bed:
$1,700/mo

Allentown's most desirable residential neighborhood; tree-lined streets with Victorian homes and neighborhood commercial districts. Mix of apartment buildings and converted homes. PPL Electric. LANTA bus access to Downtown. Close to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Downtown / NIZ District

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Revitalized downtown anchored by PPL Center arena; new apartments in mixed-use buildings. LANTA transit hub. Walk to courts, city hall, and business district. More active nightlife since NIZ development. Older surrounding blocks — research specific areas.

Bethlehem (adjacent)

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Adjacent city with Lehigh University and a revitalized historic Bethlehem Steel SteelStacks arts campus. Slightly higher rents than Allentown but stronger neighborhood character. Northside walkable main street near Lehigh. LANTA bus service.

Utility Providers

Electric
PPL Electric Utilities
Water
Allentown Water Resources / Pennsylvania American Water
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, RCN, Verizon

Commute & Transportation

The Lehigh Valley is a major logistics and distribution hub — Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and Chewy have large operations along Route 22 and I-78. I-78 connects the Lehigh Valley to NYC (90 miles, 90 minutes off-peak) and Philadelphia (55 miles, 55 minutes). Route 22 is the primary east-west arterial. LANTA provides local bus service with no rail transit. The Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) serves the area with regional connections. Major employers beyond logistics: Air Products, PPL Corporation, St Luke's University Health Network, and Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Rental Market Overview

The Lehigh Valley has been the fastest-growing metro in Pennsylvania driven by distribution and remote worker migration from NYC metro area. PPL Electric rates are moderate. Rents have risen 18–25% since 2020, significantly faster than historical norms, as NYC-area workers discovered the value. Monthly NJ Transit and/or driving commutes to NYC are possible but demanding. No commuter rail — car ownership is essentially required. Renters insurance averages $13–18/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Allentown

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Renting in Allentown: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Allentown?
One-bedroom apartments in Allentown range from $1,200/month in West End to $1,300/month in Bethlehem (adjacent). Two-bedroom units range from $1,700 to $1,800/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Allentown?
In Allentown, electricity is provided by PPL Electric Utilities, water by Allentown Water Resources / Pennsylvania American Water, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, RCN, Verizon. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Allentown.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Allentown?
West End is the most affordable of the 3 Allentown neighborhoods covered here, at $1,200/month for a one-bedroom — $100 less than Bethlehem (adjacent), roughly an 8% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Allentown expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Allentown runs about $1,267/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. The Lehigh Valley has been the fastest-growing metro in Pennsylvania driven by distribution and remote worker migration from NYC metro area. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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