Rows tagged local are specific to Allentown (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Allentown, PA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district 4202280 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
98.9
metro-area
#134 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
98.2
metro-area
#137 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.63
metro-area
#134 of 200
Median household income
$52,449
local
#65 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$31,834
local
#68 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
9.21%
local
#127 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+4.3%
local
#103 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$168,800
local
#116 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.2×
local
#90 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+3.0%
metro-area
#47 of 200
Price per square foot
$97
local
#125 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,749 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,202
local
#143 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,938
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.6%
state
#115 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.34%
state
#32 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
3.07%
Capital gains tax
3.07%
state
#53 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
2.09%
local
#181 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,532
local
#171 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,000
state
#129 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$65
state
#29 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
24 min
local
#162 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.5¢/kWh
state
#147 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200
Gasoline
$3.55/gal
state
#150 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#167 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#14 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#8 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
41
metro-area
#50 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
800
metro-area
#49 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200
Avg summer high
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200
Annual precipitation
44.1"
metro-area
#116 of 200
Annual snowfall
30.0"
metro-area
#146 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
390
state
#91 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,400
state
#11 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.