Allentown PA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 41.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 13.0% | 4.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 19.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $422,520 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2150 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 32.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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