Allentown PA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.4% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 19.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $488,428 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2150 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 31.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 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