Allentown PA vs El Paso 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 42.3% | 39.3% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 3.6% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $28,942 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 64.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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