Allentown PA vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 19.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 41.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $411,323 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 72.1°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.7 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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