Allentown PA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 91,535 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 42.3% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 13.0% | 4.9% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 16.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $865,610 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 28.8% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 65.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.0 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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