Allentown PA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 3.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 13.0% | 4.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 5.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $45,984 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,527 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 42.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2418 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 56.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.6 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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