Allentown PA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 3.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 39.9% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 3.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $51,090 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $51,690 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1734 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 67.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 65.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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