Allentown PA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 13.0% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 9.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $52,606 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $332,727 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 55.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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