Allentown PA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 100,731 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 20.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 24.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 16.8% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $439,767 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 40.0% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 51.8°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 51.9 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, 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 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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