Allentown PA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 42.3% | 40.7% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 44.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $64,538 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $429,449 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 41.2% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.4 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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