Allentown PA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 102,558 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.2% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 13.0% | 12.9% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 22.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,758 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 63.4°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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