Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
High Point, NC
🏆 High Point 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 ✓ Larger
High Point
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
114,120
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
40% less violent crime than High Point
Homes cost $28k less ($168,800 vs $196,500)
Cons
Median income trails High Point by $6,133/yr
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 6.2%)
Cost of living runs 6% higher than High Point
High Point, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (6.2%)
Rent averages $172/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,202)
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $6,133 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 38°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Violent Crime
40% lower
272.1 vs 454.8 per 100k
Allentown
Median Home Value
$28k less
$168,800 vs $196,500
High Point
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Median Income
$6,133
$58,582 vs $52,449/yr
High Point
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
6.2% vs 9.2% unemployment
High Point
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 86.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | High Point, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 ✓ Lower | $196,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 | $1,030 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $58,582 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 8.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 86.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 1.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 ✓ Larger | 114,120 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 58.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs High Point's 92.7 (US average = 100).
High Point is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 16 of 23 categories. Allentown wins 7 and High Point 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 High Point or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $196,500 median home), income ($52,449 vs $58,582), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and High Point, NC are about 401 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.