Allentown PA vs Arvada CO — 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%
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Arvada
122,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Arvada
40.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Arvada
5.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Arvada
1.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Arvada
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 122,835 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 82.8% | Arvada + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 15.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $113,396 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $56,655 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,653 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.9% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 6.0% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 50.0% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Arvada
$617,536
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $617,536 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 74.9% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Arvada
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Arvada
3234
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3234 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
23.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
19.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Arvada
10.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Arvada
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Arvada
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Arvada
28.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Arvada, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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