Allen 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Allentown
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Allentown
20.8%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Allentown
42.3%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Allentown
2.5%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 125,320 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 32.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 20.8% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 42.3% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 13.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.5% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 53.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Allentown
$53,403
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Allentown
$25,846
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Allentown
8.8%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Allentown
21.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Allentown
19.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $53,403 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $25,846 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.8% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 21.6% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 19.4% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Allentown
42.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $312,103 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 42.3% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
31.7%
Allentown
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allentown
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allentown
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allentown
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allentown
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allentown
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Allentown
45.4 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 51.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 45.4 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Allentown
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Allentown, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 26.3 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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