Moving from Allentown, PA to Anaheim, CA
Cross-country relocations like Allentown, PA → Anaheim, CA cover 2676 mi and about 48h 7m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2676 mi · 48h 7m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 99.968 in Allentown to 113.566 in Anaheim, a 13.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Anaheim: 13.6% above Allentown on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 13.5" |
Climate warms by 14.6°F on the annual average — 53.1°F → 67.7°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.6% between Allentown and Anaheim (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 53.1°F in Allentown (14.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 47.4 in.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2676 mi and the route typically takes 48h 7m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2676 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 13.6% higher than Allentown (113.566 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 206.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 69.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Anaheim, CA.