With more than 125,000 residents, Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. It combines a small historic city feel with metropolis-like access to travel, industry and education. Allentown is also located right on the Lehigh River, which offers ample opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the greater Lehigh Valley region.
Probably best known as the subject of Billy Joe’s 1982 hit song "Allentown," about a Rust Belt city that lost many of its manufacturing jobs in the ’80s, Allentown has become emblematic of the grit of the American working class. Today, the city has diversified its economy, seeing growth in service, health care, transportation and warehousing jobs. Air Products, PPL Corporation and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network are a few of its largest employers. The area’s multiple universities also attract a college-age demographic. The downtown has rebounded over the last decade or two, a renaissance so successful it became a national best practices model, further attracting new residents and employers to the city.
The cost of living in Allentown is 2.1% lower than the U.S. average. This means dollars go further in this city than in other places in the country. The median home price, too, is 28.6% less than the national average and .6% less than the average Pennsylvania home. “Commuters can live here without paying the higher cost of living in Philadelphia or New York City,” says Kimberly Gay, an associate broker with E-Realty Service of East Stroudsburg, who’s lived in the Lehigh Valley for 30 years and has been in real estate sales for 18 of them. “Health care is big in the Lehigh Valley. The systems here are connected to networks in Philly and NYC and create many job opportunities.” With Philadelphia about 60 miles south and New York City 90 miles east, Allentown offers endless opportunities for professionals hoping to stretch their dollars while still enjoying a high-quality life.
Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania with a population of more than 125,000.
Allentown is located right on the Lehigh River.
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Arts, entertainment, shopping and dining in Allentown
Allentown offers a rich selection of cultural institutions. The city is home to several museums, including the Liberty Bell Museum, which chronicles the story of the Liberty Bell when it was spirited from the State House in Philadelphia to Allentown after British troops invaded the city to prevent it from being melted down to case into munitions. The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum contains thousands of historical documents and photographs, and the Museum of Indian Culture offers exhibits and activities designed to teach the public about the region’s indigenous peoples.
The Allentown Art Museum contains almost 13,000 works of art, and the Baum School of Art features hands-on art classes. Art lovers can also enjoy Allentown’s many public murals on a walk around downtown. The ArtsWalk Pocket Park is a central spot to catch live music and movie nights. On the Third Thursday Arts Crawl, residents can tour all the public art and galleries downtown. Venues for music and theater are also abundant, such as Miller Symphony Hall, the Nineteenth Street Theater and the PPL Center, a place for concerts and sporting events. Muhlenberg College also stages theatre productions, from Broadway hits to dance performances.
Downtown has myriad shopping and dining opportunities, from hip furniture stores to craft breweries. Visitors to the Da Vinci Science Center can learn about science through unique, hands-on experiences. Other family favorites are Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, one of the world’s largest amusement and water parks, and the Great Allentown Fair, one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and largest events, held at the Allentown Fairgrounds over Labor Day weekend. The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market, established in 1953, is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and features over 50 local merchants selling everything from fresh produce to pet products.
The Allentown Art Museum opened in 1934 and is free to all, always.
The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market features over 50 local vendors.
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What to expect when house-hunting in Allentown
House hunters can explore several types of communities in Allenton. Neighborhoods like the Allentown City Historic District are packed with picturesque rowhomes from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Center City serves as Allentown’s downtown and is widely filled with rowhomes, putting residents steps from some of the city’s best shopping and dining. Comprised of detached single-family homes slightly larger than rowhomes in Allentown, neighborhoods like Midway Manor attract homebuyers looking for a more suburban lifestyle.
According to Homes.com, the median Allentown home price in the fourth quarter of 2024 was over $375,000, compared to the national median of over $550,000. Allentown also has a .7-month supply of homes compared to the national average of 3.2 months. Historically, a six-month supply of homes is associated with moderate price appreciation, and a lower supply tends to raise prices more rapidly, according to the National Association of Realtors.
“It’s a sellers’ market,” Gay says. “Homes on the market sell quickly here. New construction and developments are trying to keep up with the demand. New 55-plus communities are coming in, too — much needed in the area.” In 2023, the Lehigh Valley was ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top 10 best metro areas for retirement in the U.S.
New 55-plus communities are being built in recent years to keep up with demand in Allentown.
Allentown neighborhoods like Midway Manor attract homebuyers for its more suburban lifestyle.
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Outdoor recreation on and around the Lehigh River
There are 27 public parks in Allentown, including West Park, where the city’s municipal bands perform regularly at the bandshell, and an extensive network of trails. The Lehigh River runs through Allentown, though historically, it has been an underutilized feature due to industrial land forming a barrier. However, a new project is in the works that will bring new recreational opportunities to Allentown. Currently under construction, The Waterfront will be a mixed-use development along the banks of the Lehigh River. In addition to apartments, restaurants and retail, there will be direct river access and year-round programming for festivals and other events.
Sports fans have two major facilities to enjoy. The PPL Center is an 8,500-seat arena in Center City. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, an American Hockey League team, have made their home here. Coca-Cola Park, another stadium in Allentown, is home to the IronPigs, a Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Coca-Cola Park in Allentown is home to the Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
West Park is located in the heart of Allentown and allows residents a place to relax.
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Getting to, from and around Allentown
Interstates 78 and 476 are major thoroughfares in and out of the Allentown area. Yet, motorists should be aware that most major roads and bridges have tolls in the city, which can be inconvenient. The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (or LANTA) provides bus service. There is no commuter or passenger rail service, but the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is evaluating the possibility of returning Amtrak service to the area.
The Lehigh Valley International Airport, located about 3 miles northeast of the city, offers direct flights to 14 domestic destinations through Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Public school district and higher education in Allentown
The Allentown City School District earns an overall rating of C-minus from Niche. It encompasses fifteen elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools, and it supports more than 16,000 students. Private school options include Allentown Central Catholic High School, which received an overall A, and Lehigh Christian Academy, B-rated.
Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College, both four-year colleges, are located in Allentown. Lehigh Carbon Community College has a satellite campus in the area, which provides locals with access to industry training and associate degree programs. Plus, Pennsylvania State University’s Lehigh Valley campus is about ten miles away in the Center Valley region.
Allentown Central Catholic High School provides education in the neighborhood of
Center City.
Lehigh Christian Academy receives an overall B grade from niche.com.
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Downward trend in crime and winter temperatures
According to FBI crime data, the total number of crimes in Allentown per year, both violent and property-related, has been on a downward trend, from nearly 4,500 total incidents in 2014 to less than 3,000 in 2020. More recently, the FBI released its Summary of Crime in the Nation report, which showed Allentown outpacing the 3% decrease in violent crime nationwide with a 3.4% drop.
Homebuyers not accustomed to Pennsylvania winters may be surprised at the low temperatures and amount of snowfall. January is the coldest month in Allentown, with average lows of 20 degrees. The city also gets an average annual snowfall of 34 inches.
Areas of future investment
The Allentown Vision 2030 Comprehensive and Economic Development Plan was adopted in December 2019. It outlines “a bold but realistic set of goals and recommendations focused on inclusive economic development, safe and affordable housing, welcoming neighborhoods, accessible and connected transportation, and a healthy community.” The plan's driving mission is “Allentown for All.”
One section of town that did not fit neatly into the Vision 2030 plan is the 1st and 6th Wards, or “the Wards,” as the locals say. With some of the highest poverty rates in the area and pressure to redevelop due to the massive investments being made along the nearby riverfront, this area was selected to be a particular area of focus in a special study.
Allentown shows everyone that we all can change.
Penguins welcome you to the charming residential section of the Allentown neighborhood.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
