Allentown PA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 18.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 13.0% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 9.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1992 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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