The Allentown metro is home to 866,764 people (up 3.9% over five years), with a median household income of $82,602. Typical rent of $1,841/month works out to 26.7% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Allentown's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.3% |
| Manufacturing | 13.1% |
| Retail trade | 11.1% |
| Professional & management | 10.3% |
| Transportation & utilities | 8.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.7% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Allentown market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,841/month suggests a household income around $74,000/year. The metro's median household income is $82,602.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.3%), Manufacturing (13.1%), Retail trade (11.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).