Allentown PA vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Norman
7.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 9.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,929 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 429 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2375 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Norman
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 60.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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