Allentown PA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 17.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.8% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 31.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 25.0% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $330,564 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 28.4% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 52.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 47.1 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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