Allentown PA vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Allentown
42.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 42.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Grand Island
1960
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1960 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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