Allentown PA vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 13.0% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $48,050 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $30,995 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 27.4% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 42.7% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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