Allentown PA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 75,721 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 42.3% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 6.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $765,686 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 53.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA