Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
Round Rock, TX
🏆 Round Rock leads 17 of 23 categories
Allentown
Pennsylvania
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$52,449
Violent Crime Index
72
Population
125,292 ✓ Larger
Round Rock
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$91,888 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
120,465
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
Homes cost $169k less ($168,800 vs $337,500)
Rent averages $384/mo less ($1,202 vs $1,586)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Round Rock by $39,439/yr
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 3.8%)
Round Rock, TX
Pros
Households earn $39,439 more per year on average
52% less violent crime than Allentown
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.4 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (130.7 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $337,500
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Median Home Value
$169k less
$168,800 vs $337,500
Round Rock
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 97.6 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Round Rock
Median Income
$39,439
$91,888 vs $52,449/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
52% lower
130.7 vs 272.1 per 100k
Round Rock
Unemployment
5.4 pp lower
3.8% vs 9.2% unemployment
Round Rock
Summer Heat
9.3°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 86.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Round Rock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 97.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 ✓ Lower | $337,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 ✓ Lower | $1,586⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $91,888 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | ROUND ROCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" | 36.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 ✓ Larger | 120,465 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 55.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% | 25.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.5% ✓ More | 10.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Round Rock's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Round Rock is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Round Rock leads 17 of 23 categories. Allentown wins 6 and Round Rock wins 17. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allentown to Round Rock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $337,500 median home), income ($52,449 vs $91,888), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and Round Rock, TX are about 1,422 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.