Allentown PA vs Bellingham WA — 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Bellingham
10.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 92,367 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Bellingham
45.2%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $669,185 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 45.2% | Bellingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Bellingham
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
26.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
7.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bellingham
10.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 51.7°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, 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 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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