Allentown PA vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 13.0% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 13.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,697 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1719 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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