Allentown PA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Reno
16.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 16.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 24.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $62,696 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $570,934 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2417 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 53.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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