Allentown PA vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Cincinnati
33.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 49.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 13.0% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Cincinnati
$51,707
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Cincinnati
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Cincinnati
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $51,707 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,300 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.5% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 41.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $252,784 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 38.9% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Cincinnati
1866
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1866 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cincinnati
16.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 54.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 47.7 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Cincinnati
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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