Allentown PA vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 71,455 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 4.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,097 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2350 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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