Allentown PA vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 3.4% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 13.0% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 8.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Toledo
$27,407
Toledo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Toledo
8.5%
Toledo +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $47,532 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $27,407 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,300 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 8.5% | Toledo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.5% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1866 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Allentown +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Allentown + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Allentown. Toledo has a lower unemployment rate at 8.5%, and Allentown has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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