Allentown PA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 42.3% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 13.0% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 20.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $510,297 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 75.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 66.5 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.5 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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