Allentown PA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 13.0% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,080 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Pittsburgh
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Pittsburgh
1613
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 51.8°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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