Allentown PA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 119,970 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 42.3% | 26.4% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.3% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 44.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Hartford
$27,319
Hartford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $45,300 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $27,319 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 10.6% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 25.5% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 18.3% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 25.8% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.9 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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