Allentown PA vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Macon
18.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 61,773 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 18.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 13.0% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 19.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,405 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1752 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | 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 +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.7 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 30.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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