Allentown PA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 117,460 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 39.1% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $54,550 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $313,219 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA