Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Wichita Falls leads 17 of 23 categories
Allentown
Pennsylvania
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$52,449
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
125,292 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
22% less violent crime than Wichita Falls
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 97°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 4.4%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Wichita Falls
Median income trails Wichita Falls by $3,135/yr
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (4.4%)
Homes cost $40k less ($128,800 vs $168,800)
Rent averages $253/mo less ($949 vs $1,202)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Allentown
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 38°F
Cons
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Violent Crime
22% lower
272.1 vs 350.3 per 100k
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Median Income
$3,135
$55,584 vs $52,449/yr
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$40k less
$128,800 vs $168,800
Wichita Falls
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
4.4% vs 9.2% unemployment
Wichita Falls
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 97.2°F vs 86.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $55,584 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 24.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 54.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 97.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" | 27.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 3.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita Falls leads 17 of 23 categories. Allentown wins 6 and Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $128,800 median home), income ($52,449 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and Wichita Falls, TX are about 1,344 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.