Allentown PA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 13.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 35.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 45.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 20.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $466,147 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 62.1°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 33.0 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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