Allentown PA vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Oceanside
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 42.3% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 13.0% | 4.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 38.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $877,452 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
26.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Oceanside
10.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 55.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 31.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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