Allentown PA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
New York
35.9%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 42.3% | 35.9% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 28.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $816,078 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 32.8% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
New York
1736
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New York
25.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
New York
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 55.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.6 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 44.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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