Allentown PA vs Boca Raton FL — 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%
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Boca Raton
98,833
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Boca Raton
45.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Boca Raton
20.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Boca Raton
5.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Boca Raton
15.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 98,833 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 45.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 20.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 77.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 15.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $102,722 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $72,542 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 9.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 60.4% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Boca Raton
$562,670
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $562,670 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 65.8% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Boca Raton
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
23.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Boca Raton
8.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Boca Raton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.4 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, 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 324 in Boca Raton. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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