Allentown PA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 13.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 20.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $53,328 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 21.9% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 44.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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