Allentown PA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 13.0% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $334,719 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1992 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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