Allentown PA vs Jackson 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 1.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 14.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.3% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 2.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Jackson
$26,868
Jackson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $43,238 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $26,868 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $46,995 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 9.4% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 26.8% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1808 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 54.1 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, 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
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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