Allentown PA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 113,714 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 4.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 13.0% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 3.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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