Allentown PA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 13.0% | 11.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 15.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1960 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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