Allentown PA vs Bakersfield CA — 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%
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Bakersfield
19.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Bakersfield
6.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Bakersfield
53.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 408,366 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 19.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 46.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 53.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $77,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,956 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 23.3% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Bakersfield
$396,712
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $396,712 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 60.2% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Bakersfield
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Bakersfield
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bakersfield
13.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 8.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bakersfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bakersfield, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.1 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, 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 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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