Allentown PA vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 13.0% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 8.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $52,606 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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