Allentown PA vs Athens GA — 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%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Athens
9.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Athens
11.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 126,987 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 57.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 13.0% | 26.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 11.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $51,655 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,836 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,405 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 26.3% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 48.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Athens
$341,821
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $341,821 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 40.5% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Athens
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Athens
1752
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1752 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 62.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Athens
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | 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
Allentown
26.3 min
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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