Allentown PA vs Brownsville 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%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 42.3% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 13.0% | 0.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.8% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $48,675 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $21,338 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.9% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 22.3% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, 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
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 74.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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