Allentown PA vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 13.0% | 12.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 16.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,226 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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