Allentown PA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Salem
12.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 23.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $438,754 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 53.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA