Allentown PA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.1% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 15.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Philadelphia
$65,080
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,080 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 22.0% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Philadelphia
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Philadelphia
1613
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1613 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 57.1°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.5 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 34.5 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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