Allentown PA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 10.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 13.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.3% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 17.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $419,326 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 63.8°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 58.4 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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