Allentown PA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 114,799 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 42.3% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 13.0% | 10.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 19.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $484,226 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 47.0 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 30.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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