Allentown PA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 92,577 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 18.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 13.0% | 11.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 16.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $57,405 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $662,209 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 392 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1752 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
13.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Roswell
8.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 29.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Roswell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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