Allentown PA vs Murfreesboro TN — 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 40,828 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,097 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $427,410 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2350 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 58.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 53.4 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Murfreesboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 33.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, 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 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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