Allentown PA vs Grand Rapids MI — 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 13.0% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 16.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,052 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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