Allentown PA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 28,542 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $321,835 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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