Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Durham leads 16 of 23 categories
Allentown
Pennsylvania
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$52,449
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
125,292
Durham
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
Homes cost $148k less ($168,800 vs $316,600)
56% less violent crime than Durham
Rent averages $94/mo less ($1,202 vs $1,296)
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $22,261/yr
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 4.3%)
Durham, NC
Pros
Households earn $22,261 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Violent Crime
56% lower
272.1 vs 619.2 per 100k
Allentown
Median Home Value
$148k less
$168,800 vs $316,600
Durham
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 96.6 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Durham
Median Income
$22,261
$74,710 vs $52,449/yr
Durham
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
4.3% vs 9.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 96.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 87.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 20.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 12.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Durham is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 16 of 23 categories. Allentown wins 7 and Durham wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allentown to Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $316,600 median home), income ($52,449 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and Durham, NC are about 369 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.