Allentown PA vs Austin 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%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Austin
34.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Austin
18.1%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Austin
32.2%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 18.1% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 59.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.5% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 32.2% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Austin
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $511,264 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 44.4% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Austin
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Austin
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Austin
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Austin
9.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 67.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Austin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.8 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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