Allentown PA vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 57,088 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $1,274,801 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, 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
Kirkland
21.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
6.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
5.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Kirkland
6.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, 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 Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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