Allentown PA vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 42.3% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 9.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $629,864 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Cary
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cary
7.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 59.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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