Allentown PA vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 97,227 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $53,714 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $380,101 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 41.9% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2507 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
7.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 58.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.5 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, 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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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