Allentown PA vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Fresno
32.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Fresno
18.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Fresno
50.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 18.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 38.0% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 50.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Fresno
8.6%
Fresno +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,012 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.6% | Fresno + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.9% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 24.9% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $391,442 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
14.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Fresno has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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