Allentown PA vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 39.3% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 8.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,811 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,405 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Columbus
1752
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1752 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 49.6 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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