Allentown PA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 13.0% | 12.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,527 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $323,876 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2418 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 56.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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