Allentown PA vs Hattiesburg MS — 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%
Hattiesburg, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$221,516
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Allentown
42.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | 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
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | 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 | $46,995 | Allentown + |
| 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
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Hattiesburg
1808
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1808 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 66.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 61.6 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hattiesburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,516. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 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