Allentown PA vs Chesapeake VA — 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%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 13.0% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $422,528 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1726 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.3 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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