Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Allentown, PA

    Is Allentown a good place to live?

    Watch Allentown

    Allentown ranks #23 of 25 Pennsylvania cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (29/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $188,900
    +11.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,269
    per month
    Household income
    $53,403
    median
    Unemployment
    8.8%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Allentown

    The median home value in Allentown is $188,900 and median rent is $1,269 a month, against a median household income of $53,403. Homes cost about 3.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Allentown crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Pennsylvania the 2025 rate was 229 violent and 1,360 property crimes per 100,000 people — #34 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Allentown, PA

    Allentown has about 125,320 residents, 8.8% unemployment and 14% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Allentown with

    Allentown vs PhiladelphiaAllentown vs PittsburghAllentown vs ReadingAllentown vs ErieAllentown vs BethlehemAllentown vs ScrantonAllentown vs LancasterAllentown vs Levittown

    More: Where to move in Pennsylvania · Best counties in Pennsylvania

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report