Allentown PA vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 13.0% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Dayton
$26,381
Dayton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Dayton
20.7%
Dayton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $43,454 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $26,381 | Dayton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,300 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 9.7% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 27.1% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 20.7% | Dayton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1866 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 54.1°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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