Rental property insurance for Allentown landlords

Allentown is home to roughly 127,138 people in Lehigh County, and about 57% of its 46,374 occupied homes are rented rather than owner-occupied, above the Pennsylvania rate of 31%. That mix shapes who is buying landlord coverage here and what underwriters expect to see.

Census snapshot: Allentown housing

Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates; 2024 population estimates).

Insured value and premium context in Allentown

Allentown's median home value, roughly $206,600, gives a rough sense of what rentals here are worth; the state median is $254,500. For insurance, ask for a replacement-cost estimate on your specific building.

For context, the NAIC reported that Pennsylvania dwelling-fire policies insuring $200,000 to $224,999 averaged $575 a year in 2023, against a statewide dwelling-fire average of $539. Those are owner-occupied dwelling-form figures, not landlord quotes.

Protecting rental income in Allentown

The Census median gross rent for Allentown, $1,317 per month, is a reasonable starting point for fair rental value. At that rate, 12 months is about $15,804 per unit.

Older vs. newer rentals in Allentown

With a median build year of 1952, much of Allentown's housing predates modern electrical and plumbing codes. Insurers often ask about knob-and-tube or fuse-box wiring, galvanized supply lines, and cast-iron drains, and documented updates can make a real difference.

Allentown's mix of rental buildings

Two-to-four-unit buildings make up about 15% of Allentown's housing, well above many places. Duplexes and fourplexes can usually stay on dwelling forms; see our duplex and fourplex guide for shared-area and per-unit rent questions.

Comparing Allentown to neighboring cities

Nearby Philadelphia reports 48% renter households and a $243,100 median home value, so proportionally fewer renters than Allentown. For comparison, Pittsburgh comes in at 52% rented and $205,800 median value, with median rent of $1,261. In Reading, 59% of occupied homes are rented and the median value is $121,300. Allentown places 9 of 30 profiled Pennsylvania cities by share of rented homes. Roughly 23% of homes in Allentown are in buildings of five or more units, the point where most owners move to commercial apartment policies.

Weather and property risks for Allentown rentals

In Allentown, think about basement water and sewer backup, usually excluded unless added first, then wind damage from summer thunderstorms and remnant tropical systems. Both appear frequently in Pennsylvania property claims and can change which policy form and deductible make sense.

Hazard themes reflect FEMA’s National Risk Index and NOAA’s Storm Events Database; check the index for your specific county.

Getting a landlord quote in Allentown

• Your existing policy and recent claims
• Who holds the loan, for the mortgagee clause
• How much liability and lost rent you want covered
• Property location in Allentown and unit count
• Construction year plus the age of the roof
• Occupancy: long-term lease, month-to-month, short-term, or vacant
• Electrical, plumbing, and heating update years

Request a Allentown landlord quote

Allentown landlord insurance questions

Other Pennsylvania cities

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• Reading
• Erie
• Bethlehem
• Scranton
• Lancaster
• Harrisburg

Landlord insurance in Pennsylvania · Cost by state

Last updated October 15, 2026. Sources and method: how we research.