Allentown PA vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Denver
13.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 13.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 13.0% | 8.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 27.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $541,899 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3234 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Denver
21.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Denver
7.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.4 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 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