Allentown PA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 11,627 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 42.3% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 13.0% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 34.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $472,888 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Miami Gardens
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 29.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, 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 324 in Miami Gardens. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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