Allentown PA vs Fayetteville NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 38.3% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 13.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 61.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.4 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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