Allentown PA vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 13.0% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,697 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1719 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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