Allentown PA vs Baltimore MD — 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%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Baltimore
36.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Baltimore
8.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 27.4% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $59,623 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $39,195 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.1% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 35.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 47.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Baltimore
1724
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 433 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1724 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 55.1°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 31.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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