Allentown PA vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Dearborn
32.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 107,846 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 42.3% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 3.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $29,900 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,052 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.3% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
33.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Dearborn
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA