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Allentown vs Harrisburg Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Allentown crime rate · Harrisburg crime rate

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Is Allentown or Harrisburg Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Allentown is safer than Harrisburg (Safety Score 46/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 1,841 per 100,000 versus 2,759 for Harrisburg — 33% lower. Allentown has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Allentown has a 89% lower rate.

Note: Allentown is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Allentown, PA?

Allentown — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Harrisburg — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Allentown, PA

Allentown, PA
Safety Score 46/100
Coverage 124,599
Total Crime Rate 1,841.1
Category Wins 6/7

Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg, PA
Safety Score 23/100
Coverage 49,985
Total Crime Rate 2,758.8
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Allentown Harrisburg Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,841.1 2,758.8 -917.7
Violent Crime Rate 272.1 766.2 -494.2
Murder Rate 3.2 30.0 -26.8
Rape Rate 26.5 54.0 -27.5
Robbery Rate 57.0 164.1 -107.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 185.4 514.2 -328.8
Property Crime Rate 1,569.0 1,992.6 -423.6
Burglary Rate 121.2 334.1 -212.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,252.0 1,172.4 +79.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 195.8 486.2 -290.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Allentown, PA to Harrisburg, PA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allentown or Harrisburg safer?

Allentown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,841 per 100K vs 2,759 for Harrisburg — a 33% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Harrisburg has 766.2. Allentown 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 46/100 and a population coverage of 124,599, Allentown has a total crime rate of 1,841.1 per 100,000 residents.

About Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, sits along the Susquehanna River in the state's south-central region. Known for its historic State Capitol Building, it's a diverse city with a significant government employment sector. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 49,985, Harrisburg has a total crime rate of 2,758.8 per 100,000 residents.

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