Allentown PA vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 44,649 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 3.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,829 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 23.0% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $510,361 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 39.8% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Burlington
1714
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1714 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
23.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
5.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
6.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Burlington
9.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Burlington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Burlington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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