Allentown PA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 42.3% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 13.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 28.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $708,498 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 52.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 53.2 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 30.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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