Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Allentown
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
White
Albany
18.9%
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Allentown
13.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 125,320 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 20.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 18.9% | 42.3% | Allentown + |
| Black | 76.3% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 53.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Allentown
19.4%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $53,403 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $25,846 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.8% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 21.6% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 19.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Allentown
$312,103
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $312,103 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 42.3% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Allentown
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Allentown
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Allentown
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Allentown
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Allentown
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 51.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 45.4 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Allentown
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Allentown
26.3 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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