Allentown PA vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 27.7% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $51,690 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, 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
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 52.8 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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