Allentown PA vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 199,322 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 4.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 25.6% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $44,376 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,616 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $51,690 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 25.2% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 45.1% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Birmingham
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Birmingham
1734
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1734 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 63.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 53.7 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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