Allentown PA vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.0% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, 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
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 68.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 26.5 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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