Allentown PA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 13.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 42.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $324,946 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 69.8°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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