Allentown PA vs Bridgeport CT — 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%
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Bridgeport
44.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 148,012 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 42.3% | 34.8% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 22.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 44.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $56,584 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $30,658 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.9% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 22.5% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 23.1% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Bridgeport
$361,669
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $361,669 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 43.3% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | 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
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 31.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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