Allen TX vs Philadelphia 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 14.6% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 36.1% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 7.8% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $60,698 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $37,669 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.4% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 22.0% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 34.6% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 52.3% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 48.5 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, 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
Allen +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 34.5 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia 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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