Allentown PA vs Cleveland 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Cleveland
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.7% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.3% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Cleveland
21.3%
Cleveland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $39,187 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $27,078 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,300 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 11.5% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 30.8% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 21.3% | Cleveland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 41.2% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1866 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Cleveland
52.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 52.7°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.3 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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