Allentown PA vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Waco
9.8%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 9.8% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 13.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 29.9% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Allentown +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Allentown +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $51,468 | Allentown + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 24.0% | Allentown + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, 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
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 66.6°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allentown leads in median household income at $53,403, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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