Is Allentown or Scranton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Scranton is safer than Allentown (Safety Score 52/100 vs 45/100), with a total crime rate of 1,627 per 100,000 versus 1,841 for Allentown — 12% lower. Allentown has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Allentown has a 65% lower rate.
Allentown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Scranton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
Scranton, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | Scranton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 1,626.5 | +214.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 281.4 | -9.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 9.3 | -6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 92.5 | -66.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 31.7 | +25.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 148.0 | +37.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 1,345.1 | +224.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 192.9 | -71.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 1,022.7 | +229.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 129.5 | +66.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or Scranton safer?
Scranton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,627 per 100K vs 1,841 for Allentown — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Scranton has 281.4. 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 45/100 and a population coverage of 124,599, Allentown has a total crime rate of 1,841.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Scranton, PA
Scranton, once a booming hub of the anthracite coal industry, is the largest city in northeastern Pennsylvania. Nestled in the Lackawanna River valley, its population is predominantly white, with a growing Hispanic community. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 75,683, Scranton has a total crime rate of 1,626.5 per 100,000 residents.