Allentown PA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Pasadena
19.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 19.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 13.0% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 25.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 36.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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