Allentown PA vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 42.3% | 24.8% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $28,490 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 14.2% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $531,592 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 25.4% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 29.3 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 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