Allentown PA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 19.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 8.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $871,599 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 52.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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