Allentown PA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 47,823 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.8 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $50,294 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $53,141 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.2% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $362,476 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 834 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3177 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 55.7°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, 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 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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