Allentown PA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 115,415 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 13.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $441,257 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA