Allentown PA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 41.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 20.0% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $46,628 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 26.6% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 37.2% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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