Nazareth is part of the Allentown area. This page covers the whole metro.
Outdoorsy, Lively, Historic
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Allentown scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy.
How locals describe Allentown
The words residents use most, from 34 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"Allentown is a great place and a big city, but it's incredibly spread out. No real Downtown areas."
"I can't even express how much I want a grocery store in the middle of downtown Allentown. Downtown Allentown is a pretty nice place to live"
A walk through Allentown
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around Allentown
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2025-09. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsEveryday life in Allentown
Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
Around Allentown
What Allentown is known for
Every year
JulAllentown Water Lantern Festival: lantern festival held in Allentownfestivalguidesandreviews.com
SepThe Great Allentown Fair: long running annual agricultural and entertainment fairdiscoverlehighvalley.com
Blues, Brews, and Barbecue: downtown festival with music, beer and barbecuediscoverlehighvalley.com
Lights in the Parkway: holiday light display drawing regional crowdsdiscoverlehighvalley.com
On a normal week
Visiting the Liberty Bell Museum of Allentowndiscoverlehighvalley.com
Exploring downtown Allentown's cultural attractionsdiscoverlehighvalley.com
Take a tour of Allentown
"Walking Through Center City Allentown: What You Need To See!" by Jack Strini - Lehigh Valley Explained, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
Baristi Coffee Roasters stands out because the owner imports and roasts beans on site, according to one commenter.
“Baristi Coffee Roasters in Allentown if you want really good coffee.”
One resident recommends Leiser Lake near Kempton and Lake Nockamixon, along with the calm section of Canal Park between Allentown and Sand Island in Bethlehem.
“Leiser Lake is an easy one north of Kempton. Lake Nockamixon is great as well!”
One person who grew up in the Allentown school district called it one to avoid, especially at the high school level.
“Growing up in the Allentown school district, I can tell you that it is one to avoid.”
One resident mentioned that Wegmans in Allentown sells beer and has a pretty nice selection.
“The Wegmans in Allentown does sell beer and they have a pretty nice selection”
From 3 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident mentioned a new venue called Archer Music Hall where they saw a show sooner than expected
“So, go figure, I got a chance to see them again way sooner than I had expected. Allentown has a new venue called Archer Music Hall, and lately I...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident says the dating scene is very active and the area is walkable, recommending the Allentown Farmers Market.
“the dating scene for my single friends is very active. depending on where you live, it is walkable. Allentown Farers Market is a must visit.”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.Archer Music Hall and the Moxy can draw big crowds depending on the show lineup.
“Allentown you could check to see what's going on at Archer Music Hall. Depending on the show, the Moxy will draw a huge crowd. They sometimes...”
Read the full commentAbout 11 months agoOne resident mentioned that Wegmans in Allentown sells beer and has a pretty nice selection.
“The Wegmans in Allentown does sell beer and they have a pretty nice selection. Grocery stores in PA that do sell beer for take-out may not sell...”
Read the full commentAbout 13 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident noted a common opinion that Allentown is considered awful with Center City Allentown seen as the worst
“The consensus here seems to be the Bethlehem is the best, Easton is okay, Allentown is awful, and Center City Allentown is the worst. Just kinda curious...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident noted the area is large with plenty to do and a low cost of living, though the restaurant, shopping, and arts scene downtown is lacking.
“it is a pretty large area with a decent amount to do and a low cost of living. Restaurant/shopping/arts scene is lacking and downtown Allentown...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoRecent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 2,451 business locations in the Allentown area, employing about 77,758 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
Baristi Coffee Roasters stands out because the owner imports and roasts beans on site, according to one commenter.
“Baristi Coffee Roasters in Allentown if you want really good coffee. He imports and roasts beans on site. Blows all other coffee shops out...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One local coffee drinker called Nowhere Coffee Co in Allentown amazing.
“Nowhere Coffee in Allentown. Art Beat Cafe on Lehigh street. Nowhere Coffee Co in Allentown is amazing!! Java Joint Drive-Thru has some good...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 months agoArcher Music Hall and the Moxy can draw big crowds depending on the show lineup.
“Allentown you could check to see what's going on at Archer Music Hall. Depending on the show, the Moxy will draw a huge crowd. They sometimes...”
Read the full commentAbout 11 months agoOne person who grew up in the Allentown school district called it one to avoid, especially at the high school level.
“Growing up in the Allentown school district, I can tell you that it is one to avoid. The grade schools may not be bad overall, but the high...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.“Blows all other coffee shops out”
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Allentown area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Allentown area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
What rent costs
Of about 97,842 rented homes in the Allentown area, 88% rent for under $2,000 a month and 99% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Allentown area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $2,000 to $2,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $3,000 to $4,497 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,000 to $1,499, that's a yearly income of about $36,000 to $53,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to Pennsylvania: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Pennsylvania DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: Pennsylvania voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Public schools
9 public school districts in this county, with about 47,480 students in all. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
Pennsylvania keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
Search licensed childcare in Pennsylvania →10 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Allentown. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.