Allentown PA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 5.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 13.0% | 9.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 16.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,860 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2174 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 54.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA