Allentown PA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 124,865 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 4.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 9.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,074 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $534,732 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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