Allentown PA vs Laredo 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 42.3% | 37.6% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 0.5% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.5% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Laredo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Laredo
21.5%
Laredo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $24,584 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 20.8% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 21.5% | Laredo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, 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
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Laredo
13.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 74.2°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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