Allentown PA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 13.0% | 9.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 18.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,860 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2174 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 57.0°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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