Allentown PA vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.4% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $568,389 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3234 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
6.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Collins
9.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, 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 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 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