Allentown PA vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Kent
14.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 84,389 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 31.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $657,911 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, 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
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 53.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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