Allentown PA vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Flint
2.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 80,835 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 2.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 34.4% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.6% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $36,194 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $20,799 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,052 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 17.4% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 34.4% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 13.1% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Flint
12.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 50.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 23.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.0 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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