Is Allentown or Bethlehem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bethlehem is safer than Allentown (Safety Score 54/100 vs 45/100), with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100,000 versus 1,841 for Allentown — 14% lower. Allentown has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bethlehem has a 51% lower rate.
Allentown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bethlehem — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
Bethlehem, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | Bethlehem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 1,575.9 | +265.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 207.1 | +65.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 2.5 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 40.4 | -13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 27.8 | +29.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 135.1 | +50.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 1,368.8 | +200.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 84.6 | +36.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 1,150.3 | +101.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 133.9 | +62.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or Bethlehem safer?
Bethlehem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100K vs 1,841 for Allentown — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Bethlehem has 207.1. Bethlehem has lower violent crime.
About Allentown, PA
Allentown, a former industrial hub in eastern Pennsylvania, is the third-largest city in the state. Home to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, it sits along the Lehigh River with a diverse population. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 124,599, Allentown has a total crime rate of 1,841.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem, PA, known as "The Christmas City" for its annual celebrations, is a city in the Lehigh Valley. Once a major industrial hub for Bethlehem Steel, it now has a diverse economy and a population of over 75,000. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 79,194, Bethlehem has a total crime rate of 1,575.9 per 100,000 residents.