Allentown PA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 13.0% | 10.5% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 13.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $496,966 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 53.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 31.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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