Allentown PA vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 13.0% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $54,550 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $593,739 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | 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
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 65.9°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 51.0 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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