Allentown PA vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 23,594 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 42.3% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $433,399 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Kennewick
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kennewick
11.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 54.7°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 32.4 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kennewick. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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