Allentown PA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 13.0% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $53,714 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 660 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2507 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 62.7°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.0 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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