Allentown PA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Portland
11.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 68,505 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 13.0% | 9.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 3.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,587 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $561,069 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 47.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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