Allentown PA vs Brockton MA — 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Brockton
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 105,080 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 42.3% | 29.2% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Brockton
21.3%
Brockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,524 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.3% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 21.3% | Brockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $506,468 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Brockton
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 49.9 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 34.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, 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 326 in Brockton. Brockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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