Allentown PA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 42.3% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 13.0% | 11.9% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 34.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $62,696 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $426,069 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2417 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 67.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.7 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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