Allentown PA vs Dallas 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%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Dallas
33.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Dallas
41.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 42.3% | 41.9% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 23.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 41.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Dallas
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 37.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $311,957 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 42.4% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Dallas
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Dallas
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dallas
13.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 65.9°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 40.6 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Dallas
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.3 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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