Allentown PA vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Elgin
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 114,106 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 42.3% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 48.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $333,920 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Elgin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 30.4 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, 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 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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