Allentown PA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 25.0% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $51,211 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,097 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 22.5% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2350 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 60.9°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 54.9 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 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