Allentown PA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 13.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $374,265 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1726 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 58.9°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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