Allentown PA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Allentown
42.3%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 119,508 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 42.3% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 13.0% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 24.6% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $399,650 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 75.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 62.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 324 in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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