Allentown PA vs Amarillo TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Amarillo
35.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Amarillo
11.0%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Amarillo
7.4%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Amarillo
33.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 200,945 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 11.0% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 68.0% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.4% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 33.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Amarillo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $62,469 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $35,133 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.6% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 15.8% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 25.1% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Amarillo
59.6%
Amarillo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $208,517 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 59.6% | Amarillo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Amarillo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Amarillo
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2339 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
19.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Amarillo
14.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Amarillo
57.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Amarillo
20.4 in
Amarillo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 57.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 20.4 in | Amarillo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Amarillo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Amarillo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Amarillo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Amarillo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 20.6 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Amarillo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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