Allentown PA vs Sugar Land 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Allentown
42.3%
Allentown +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 109,735 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.5 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 42.3% | 40.6% | Allentown + |
| Black | 13.0% | 7.7% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 12.3% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $449,058 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, 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
Sugar Land
24.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
12.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 71.3°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.4 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 31.6 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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