Allentown PA vs Detroit 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 11.7% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 8.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $39,575 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $24,029 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,052 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 14.1% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 31.5% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 17.6% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 45.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, 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
Allentown +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.3 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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