Allentown PA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 19.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 13.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 26.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $376,530 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 73.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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