Home project costs in Allentown, PA
Every project we cover, priced for the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area is 100.0 against 100 for the US, which puts Allentown 83rd among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 100.6. BLS counts roughly 377,180 jobs here.
In Allentown, 27 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 4 below, and 7 are level with it. The biggest premiums are concrete driveway (+5%), stamped concrete (+4%) and concrete patio (+4%); the biggest discounts are attic insulation (−4%), kitchen backsplash (−3%) and tile flooring (−2%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Allentown Intl Ap, 4 miles away) shows a January average low of 22°F, a July average high of 86°F and 47 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Allentown
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.27 | $23.70 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.05 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.31 | $28.63 | $32.64 | $29.12 | 0.98 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $25.46 | $30.31 | $36.55 | $28.78 | 1.05 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $24.41 | $31.22 | $39.61 | $30.67 | 1.02 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $25.23 | $30.28 | $33.46 | $27.41 | 1.10 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $27.38 | $31.97 | $39.66 | $30.38 | 1.05 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $23.80 | $24.71 | $33.48 | $26.77 | 0.92 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $23.45 | $27.95 | $34.80 | $26.65 | 1.05 |
Concrete & paving in Allentown
The 7 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Allentown, from +2% (paver patio) to +5% (concrete driveway).
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Allentown | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,350 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Allentown | 600 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,650 | +5% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Allentown | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,550 | +2% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Allentown | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,500 | +3% |
| Paver patio cost in Allentown | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Concrete patio cost in Allentown | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Allentown | 400 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,300 | +4% |
Decks & outdoor in Allentown
The 2 jobs here average level versus the US in Allentown, from level (composite deck) to level (wood deck).
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Allentown | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
| Composite deck cost in Allentown | 300 sq ft | $12,000 – $24,100 | level |
Building & additions in Allentown
Across these 2 projects, Allentown averages +2% against national midpoints. Detached garage is highest at +2% and home addition lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Allentown | 576 sq ft | $29,400 – $59,100 | +2% |
| Home addition cost in Allentown | 300 sq ft | $38,500 – $78,100 | +1% |
Doors & windows in Allentown
The 5 jobs here average +1% versus the US in Allentown, from level (front door) to +1% (window replacement).
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Allentown | 1 door | $710 – $3,750 | +1% |
| Storm door cost in Allentown | 1 door | $350 – $950 | level |
| Front door cost in Allentown | 1 door | $500 – $2,500 | level |
| Window replacement cost in Allentown | 10 windows | $4,550 – $15,100 | +1% |
| Patio door cost in Allentown | 1 door | $600 – $6,050 | +1% |
Fencing in Allentown
The 4 jobs here average +1% versus the US in Allentown, from +1% (wood fence) to +1% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Allentown | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,700 | +1% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Allentown | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,200 | +1% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Allentown | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,250 | +1% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Allentown | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
Roofing & exterior in Allentown
The 5 jobs here average +1% versus the US in Allentown, from −4% (attic insulation) to +3% (roof replacement).
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Allentown | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,300 – $12,900 | +3% |
| Metal roof cost in Allentown | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,600 – $33,400 | +3% |
| Gutters cost in Allentown | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Allentown | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,450 – $25,400 | +1% |
| Attic insulation cost in Allentown | 1,000 sq ft | $950 – $3,850 | −4% |
Kitchen & bath in Allentown
Across these 5 projects, Allentown averages −1% against national midpoints. Kitchen remodel is highest at level and kitchen backsplash lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Allentown | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,000 | level |
| Shower pan cost in Allentown | 1 pan | $910 – $2,750 | −1% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Allentown | 120 sq ft | $18,600 – $31,600 | level |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Allentown | 45 sq ft | $4,700 – $23,300 | level |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Allentown | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −3% |
Landscaping & drainage in Allentown
Across these 5 projects, Allentown averages +1% against national midpoints. Inground pool is highest at +2% and French drain lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Allentown | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | +1% |
| Retaining wall cost in Allentown | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,200 – $13,600 | +2% |
| Sod installation cost in Allentown | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,350 | +1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Allentown | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,100 – $10,200 | +2% |
| Inground pool cost in Allentown | 450 sq ft | $36,900 – $115,500 | +2% |
Flooring & interior in Allentown
The 3 jobs here average level versus the US in Allentown, from −2% (tile flooring) to +2% (laminate flooring).
| Project | Size | Allentown range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Allentown | 500 sq ft | $5,550 – $12,600 | +1% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Allentown | 500 sq ft | $2,050 – $7,150 | +2% |
| Tile flooring cost in Allentown | 200 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,850 | −2% |
Allentown against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Allentown prices +1% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 3 price higher and 2 lower. Lancaster is the lowest at roughly level (70 miles) and New York the highest at +18% (85 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PAthis page | 100.0 | 100.6 | +1% | |
| Reading, PA | 40 miles | 97.1 | 100.7 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 45 miles | 93.6 | 100.7 | +1% |
| Trenton, NJ | 50 miles | 103.2 | 99.8 | +12% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 60 miles | 102.6 | 96.8 | +4% |
| Lancaster, PA | 70 miles | 98.3 | 100.7 | level |
| New York, NY | 85 miles | 112.6 | 110.3 | +18% |