Allentown, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Allentown.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Allentown?
Allentown planning snapshot: population 127,138, housing index 78 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog), median home $188,900, median rent $1,269, and income near $53,403. Expect 84°F summer highs, 24°F winter lows, and about 24-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 386.5 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 78U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $188,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,269U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $53,403U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.1%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 386.5per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 84°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Allentown compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 127,138City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $53,403Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 78ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year22% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $188,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year38% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,269City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year6% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 45Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 386.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)34% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2283annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)26% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 84°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 24°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 47.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals44% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 236As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Allentown grew 7.6% from 118,113 in 2010 to 127,138 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Allentown expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Allentown runs 22 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 78 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $188,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,269 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Allentown?
Budget first around $1,269/month rent or $188,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $188,900
- Median rent $1,269/month
- Median household income $53,403
What is the job market like in Allentown?
Labor-market context for Allentown: unemployment 4.1% and median income $53,403. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $53,403
How long is the typical commute in Allentown?
Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way in Allentown. Walk Score estimates around 45 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 45/100
Is Allentown safer than similar U.S. cities?
Allentown's FBI-derived violent rate (~386.5/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 386.5 per 100k
- Property 2283 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Allentown?
Allentown's climate profile: 84°F summer peaks, 24°F winter mornings, 47.4" annual rainfall, and 236 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 84°F
- Winter low 24°F
- 47.4 in rain · 236 sunny days
Appalachian ridges and legacy industrial river towns create varied housing stock. Expect summer highs near 84°F and winter lows around 24°F. Average one-way commute time is about 24 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 45/100. Labor-market readings near 4.1% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates around 386.5 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Relocators eyeing Allentown, Pennsylvania will find roughly 127,138 residents within city limits. With median income around $53,403 and a cost index of 78, the market reads among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs. Entry home prices around $188,900 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Allentown is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Allentown with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Allentown city, 1600000US4202000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Lehigh County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014737 ALLENTOWN INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All Pennsylvania cities · Full city index