Allentown PA vs Round Rock 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Round Rock
15.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Round Rock
29.1%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 124,288 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 15.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 13.0% | 11.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 29.1% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $411,570 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, 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
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Round Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, 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 Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Round Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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