Allentown PA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 71,124 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 32.4% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 11.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $64,087 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 23.2% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $327,117 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1991 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 54.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 49.3 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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