Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories
Allentown
Pennsylvania
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,449
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
125,292
Modesto
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
Homes cost $213k less ($168,800 vs $381,800)
59% less violent crime than Modesto
Rent averages $295/mo less ($1,202 vs $1,497)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 95°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $20,926/yr
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 7.8%)
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $20,926 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (7.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Allentown
Violent Crime
59% lower
272.1 vs 655.7 per 100k
Allentown
Median Home Value
$213k less
$168,800 vs $381,800
Modesto
Median Income
$20,926
$73,375 vs $52,449/yr
Modesto
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
7.8% vs 9.2% unemployment
Modesto
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 86.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 19.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 83.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Allentown is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories. Allentown wins 10 and Modesto wins 13. 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 Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $381,800 median home), income ($52,449 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and Modesto, CA are about 2,422 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.