Allentown PA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 102,866 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.9 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 13.0% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 17.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $52,512 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,697 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 22.6% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 370 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1719 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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