Allentown PA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Gresham
16.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Gresham
21.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 112,818 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 16.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 13.0% | 4.4% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 21.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Gresham
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 23.6% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $472,119 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Gresham
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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