Allentown PA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 67,231 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 42.3% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $1,215,642 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
9.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 67.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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