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 125,320, 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 48 per 100k (catalog avg 602.7).
- 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
- 48per 100k · avg 602.7
- 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
- 125,320City limits · not metro/MSA
- Median household income
- $53,403Incorporated place (ACS)32% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538
- Housing cost index
- 78ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)22% below U.S. avgU.S. 100
- Median home value
- $188,900City limits (ACS)38% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,269City limits (ACS)6% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348
- Unemployment
- 4.1%County LAUS · not city-onlyNear 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
- 48launch estimate, not FBI-verified yet
- Property crime rate
- 52launch estimate, not FBI-verified yet
- Summer high
- 84°F3.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 24°F10.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 47.4 in44% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 23612% below U.S. avgU.S. 269
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)
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 (~48/100k) 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 48 per 100k
- Property 52 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
Compare Allentown with another city
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. Safety figures are still on the curated-seed baseline for this city; check back once FBI Crime Data Explorer enrichment has run for an actual per-100k rate.
Relocators eyeing Allentown, Pennsylvania will find roughly 125,320 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)
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Lehigh County, June 2026
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer (curated seed)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014737 ALLENTOWN INTL AP)
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024)
Last updated 2026-08-03
Canonical profile · All Pennsylvania cities · Full city index