Allentown PA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 44,998 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 57.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 17.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.4% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 24.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $503,393 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 63.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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