Is Allentown or Carlisle Borough Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carlisle Borough is safer than Allentown (Safety Score 62/100 vs 45/100), with a total crime rate of 1,318 per 100,000 versus 1,841 for Allentown — 28% lower. Allentown has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Allentown has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Allentown is 5.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Allentown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carlisle Borough — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
Carlisle Borough, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | Carlisle Borough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 1,317.8 | +523.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 172.8 | +99.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 21.6 | -18.4 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 25.9 | +0.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 21.6 | +35.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 99.4 | +86.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 1,145.0 | +424.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 129.6 | -8.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 967.9 | +284.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 47.5 | +148.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or Carlisle Borough safer?
Carlisle Borough is safer with a total crime rate of 1,318 per 100K vs 1,841 for Allentown — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Carlisle Borough has 172.8. Carlisle Borough 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 Carlisle Borough, PA
Carlisle, the seat of Cumberland County, is a historic borough known for Dickinson College, chartered in 1783. Situated in the Cumberland Valley, it's home to a diverse population of around 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 23,144, Carlisle Borough has a total crime rate of 1,317.8 per 100,000 residents.