Allentown 81 Exceptional
Allentown Livability #171 ranked city in Pennsylvania#1,440 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Allentown, PA - The Queen City

Allentown, Pennsylvania, known as "The Queen City," is a historic and vibrant community located in the Lehigh Valley. With its rich industrial heritage, diverse population, and revitalized downtown area, Allentown offers a unique blend of history and modernity. The city's commitment to growth and development makes living in Allentown an attractive choice.

Residents of Allentown enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, including the expansive Trexler Memorial Park and Cedar Beach Park, provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Allentown Art Museum and the Liberty Bell Museum are popular destinations that offer a mix of history, art, and family-friendly fun.

Allentown's cultural scene is enriched by its diverse population and vibrant arts community. The PPL Center hosts a range of performances, including concerts, sporting events, and family shows. The Miller Symphony Hall and the Civic Theatre of Allentown further contribute to the city's cultural landscape, offering residents access to visual and performing arts.

The cost of living in Allentown is relatively affordable compared to other parts of Pennsylvania, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's economy is supported by industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

Public transportation in Allentown is well-developed, with access to LANTA (Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority) buses, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Allentown's climate features four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Allentown offers a blend of historic charm, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.

Pros and Cons of Living in Allentown

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    No cons were found for this area, as there were no categories that scored well below average.

What's it like Living in Allentown?

Allentown is a mid-sized city located in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has a population of 123,801 people. In Allentown, there are 7,055 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Allentown identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 41% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Allentown could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 31 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 39% of the Allentown population is married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Allentown, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Allentown could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Pennsylvania if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Allentown and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Allentown has received a livability score of 78/100. This score is ranked in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the national average, Allentown ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Allentown has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Allentown has received high marks for amenities (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Allentown does not rank well for, including: crime (D) and employment (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Allentown, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Allentown undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Allentown: Coca-Cola Park, America on Wheels Museum, and Da Vinci Science Center.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Allentown has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Allentown real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Allentown. The median home price for Allentown homes is $247,132, which is 16.6% lower than the Pennsylvania average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Allentown, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 0% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Allentown

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Allentown?

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      Allentown transportation information

      Statistic Allentown Pennsylvania National
      Average one way commute23min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.5%76.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.7%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.1%5.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.2%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.9%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Allentown, PA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.