Allentown PA vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 20.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $51,888 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,837 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 23.3% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 41.5% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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