Allentown PA vs Baton Rouge LA — 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%
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
7.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 223,699 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.2% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 51.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 6.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $49,944 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $33,415 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $55,297 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 9.0% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 25.0% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 35.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $231,011 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 46.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
2824
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2824 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 64.8 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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