Allentown PA vs Fremont CA — 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 42.3% | 19.4% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.9% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $1,538,830 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
17.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
12.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
4.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fremont
7.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 59.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 33.9 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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