Allentown PA vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 121,537 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 13.0% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $55,297 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2824 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 67.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 61.0 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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