Allentown PA vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Charlotte
34.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Charlotte
18.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Charlotte
17.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 18.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 41.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 17.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $399,070 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Charlotte
11.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 59.9°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.7 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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