Abilene TX vs Allentown PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Allentown
125,320
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Allentown
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Allentown
42.3%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 125,320 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 32.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 66.6% | 42.3% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 13.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 53.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Allentown
$53,403
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Allentown
$25,846
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Allentown
8.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Allentown
21.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Allentown
19.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $53,403 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $25,846 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 21.6% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 19.4% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Allentown
$312,103
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Allentown
42.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $312,103 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.3% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Allentown
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Allentown
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Allentown
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Allentown
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Allentown
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Allentown
45.4 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 45.4 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Allentown
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Allentown
26.3 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.3 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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