Allentown PA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Portland
12.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 11.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $538,687 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 51.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 78.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.5 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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