Allentown PA vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 100,501 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,697 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $570,592 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1719 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
12.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
4.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Carmel
8.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 51.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 42.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.4 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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