Allentown PA vs Clarksville TN — 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%
Clarksville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 171,897
- Median HH Income$66,786
- Median Home Price$320,241
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+30.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Clarksville
12.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 171,897 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 13.0% | 23.0% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,266 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,097 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.6% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Clarksville
$320,241
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $320,241 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2350 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
11.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Clarksville
16.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Clarksville
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 59.2°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
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, 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 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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