Allentown PA vs Anchorage AK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Anchorage
34.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Anchorage
10.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Anchorage
5.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Anchorage
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 289,069 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 9.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $98,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $49,338 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,233 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 37.7% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Anchorage
$414,014
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $414,014 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Anchorage
780
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Anchorage
1849
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 780 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1849 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
9.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Anchorage
14.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 37.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 16.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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