Allentown PA vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 20.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Allentown +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 11.6% | Allentown + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 12.4% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $397,983 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, 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
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 63.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 41.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Allentown has a lower unemployment rate at 8.8%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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