Allentown PA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 13.9% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.8% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 23.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $468,328 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 41.6% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, 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
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 71.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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