Allentown PA vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 267 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 8.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 13.0% | 0.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.0% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 15.7% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Allentown +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Allentown +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $21,360 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 1.8% | Allentown + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $352,129 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 67.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, 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 New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Allentown, PA vs New York, NYAllentown, PA vs Los Angeles, CAAllentown, PA vs Chicago, ILAllentown, PA vs Houston, TXAllentown, PA vs Phoenix, AZAllentown, PA vs Philadelphia, PA