Allentown PA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 42.3% | 21.8% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 1.4% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 15.5% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $751,711 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 57.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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