Is Allentown or Plum Borough Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Plum Borough is safer than Allentown (Safety Score 99/100 vs 45/100), with a total crime rate of 214 per 100,000 versus 1,841 for Allentown — 88% lower. Allentown has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Plum Borough has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Allentown is 4.8x 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
Plum Borough — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
Plum Borough, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | Plum Borough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 214.2 | +1,626.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 61.2 | +210.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 0.0 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 0.0 | +26.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 3.8 | +53.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 57.4 | +128.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 153.0 | +1,416.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 65.0 | +56.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 84.2 | +1,167.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 3.8 | +192.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or Plum Borough safer?
Plum Borough is safer with a total crime rate of 214 per 100K vs 1,841 for Allentown — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Plum Borough has 61.2. Plum 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 Plum Borough, PA
Plum Borough, a large suburban community east of Pittsburgh, was once home to numerous coal mines. This sprawling Allegheny County municipality boasts a significant Italian-American population. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 26,145, Plum Borough has a total crime rate of 214.2 per 100,000 residents.