Allentown PA vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 13.0% | 8.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 3.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $318,584 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2037 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
6.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 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