Allentown PA vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 136,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 13.0% | 8.5% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,226 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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