The PPL Center anchors downtown Allentown's entertainment scene with Phantoms hockey games and major concerts. Outdoor recreation flourishes along the 6.1-mile Little Lehigh Parkway trail system and through scenic spaces like Trexler Memorial Park's rose gardens and Cedar Creek Park's sports fields. Cultural attractions include the Allentown Art Museum's diverse collections, the America On Wheels Museum, and performances at Miller Symphony Hall. The restaurant scene features highly-rated spots like Ayat, La Bicicleta Arepa Bar, and Damascus Restaurant.
The Allentown housing market includes diverse options across distinct neighborhoods. The median price for single family homes is $345,000, while townhouses have a median price of $232,000 and two bedroom condos typically sell for $230,000. West End Allentown features single family homes with a median price of $338,000. The West Park Historic District contains townhouses with a median price of $275,000. Ancient Oaks commands the highest median single family home prices at $525,000.
The cost of living in Allentown is 2.3% above the national average. A family with school-age children needs approximately $108,000 annually to live comfortably, while renters should aim for $62,000. Property taxes in Lehigh County stand at 1.66%, comparable to neighboring Bethlehem and Easton at 1.65%. The Pennsylvania state income tax rate is 3.07%, with a combined state and local sales tax of 6.34%.
Allentown public schools include the A-rated Springhouse Middle School and Parkland High School. Private education options feature the highly-rated Moravian Academy Swain School Campus and St. Thomas More Catholic School. The city sits 60 miles from Philadelphia and 90 miles from New York City, with LANTA bus service providing local public transportation throughout the Lehigh Valley region.
