Allentown PA vs Lubbock 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 6.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 13.0% | 8.3% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 36.8% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, 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
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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