Allentown PA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 82,506 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 48.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 13.0% | 8.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 14.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 72.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 54.8 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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