Allentown PA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 42.3% | 16.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 37.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $48,416 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $25,509 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 10.9% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.7% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 17.4% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $482,675 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 24.1% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 54.9°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 35.9 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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