Allentown PA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 98,677 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 13.0% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 8.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $52,671 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1726 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 56.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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