Akron OH vs Allentown PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Allentown
125,320
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Allentown
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Allentown
42.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Allentown
13.0%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Allentown
2.5%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 125,320 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 20.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 56.1% | 42.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 13.0% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.5% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 53.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Allentown
$25,846
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Allentown
8.8%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Allentown
19.4%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $53,403 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $25,846 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,080 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 8.8% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 21.6% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 19.4% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Allentown
$312,103
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Allentown
42.3%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $312,103 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 42.3% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Allentown
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1613 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Allentown
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Allentown
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Allentown
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Allentown
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Allentown
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Allentown
51.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Allentown
45.4 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 51.2°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.4 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Allentown
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Allentown
26.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 26.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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