Moving from Allentown, PA to Kansas City, KS
The drive from Allentown, PA to Kansas City, KS runs 1116 mi — about 21h 26m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1116 mi · 21h 26m by car · KS → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Kansas City are 7.4% below Allentown — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Kansas City typical home at $198,195 is 7.4% under Allentown at $309,699 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 38.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.1°F vs 56.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
Income steps up 7.4%: $53,403 in Allentown vs $59,183 in Kansas City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 53.1°F in Allentown (3.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 47.4 in.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 10.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 7.4% lower than Allentown (92.543 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 36.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1116 mi and the route typically takes 21h 26m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1116 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Kansas City, KS.