Allentown PA vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 95,358 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 42.3% | 34.8% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 6.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 41.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $1,128,110 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
20.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
13.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
5.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Torrance
8.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 62.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 44.9 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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