Allentown PA vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 68,141 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 42.3% | 17.9% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 5.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 19.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $523,551 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
13.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 36.0 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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