Allentown PA vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 42.3% | 26.6% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 11.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 45.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Stockton
8.0%
Stockton +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.0% | Stockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 19.1% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $431,297 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 62.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 33.2 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 503 in Stockton. Stockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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