Allentown PA vs Frisco 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%
Frisco, TX
Texas · Population: 53,348
- Median HH Income$57,216
- Median Home Price$663,246
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Frisco
53,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Frisco
40.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Frisco
12.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Frisco
61.4%
Frisco +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Frisco
14.6%
Frisco +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Frisco
2.8%
Frisco +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Frisco
29.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 53,348 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 12.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.4% | Frisco + |
| Black | 13.0% | 14.6% | Frisco + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.8% | Frisco + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 29.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Frisco
$57,216
Frisco +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Frisco
$39,883
Frisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Frisco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Frisco
6.7%
Frisco +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Frisco
19.9%
Frisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Frisco
33.7%
Frisco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $57,216 | Frisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $39,883 | Frisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.7% | Frisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.9% | Frisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 33.7% | Frisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Frisco
$663,246
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Frisco
46.7%
Frisco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $663,246 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 46.7% | Frisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Frisco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Frisco
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, 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
Frisco
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
13.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
8.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Frisco
8.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Frisco
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Frisco
41.2 in
Frisco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.2 in | Frisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Frisco
9.2 µg/m³
Frisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Frisco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Frisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Frisco
22.8 min
Frisco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Frisco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.8 min | Frisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Frisco leads in median household income at $57,216, 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 Frisco. Frisco has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Frisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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