Allentown PA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 112,546 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 13.0% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $52,170 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,052 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA