Allentown PA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 13.0% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 10.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $45,845 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 29.6% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 41.3% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1736 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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