Allentown PA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 7.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $400,636 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, 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
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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