Allentown PA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Allentown
42.3%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 42.3% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 29.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $1,006,261 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 61.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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