Allentown PA vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 42.3% | 35.5% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 44.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 42.0% | Allentown + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.7 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 29.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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