Allentown PA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 13.0% | 12.1% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 24.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $435,532 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 326 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.1 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 27.3 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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