Moving from Allentown, PA to Riverside, CA
Moving from Allentown, PA to Riverside, CA is a 2659 mi cross-country relocation — about 47h 38m of driving through 11 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2659 mi · 47h 38m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 99.968 in Allentown to 106.442 in Riverside, a 6.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Riverside: 6.5% above Allentown on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 10.0" |
Riverside runs 13.8°F warmer on the annual average (53.1°F vs 66.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.42 |
Median household income in Riverside is 6.5% above Allentown ($53,403 vs $88,575, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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.
- 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 Riverside average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 (13.8°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 household income compare in Allentown vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 65.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2659 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Riverside, CA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2659 mi and the route typically takes 47h 38m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Riverside more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 6.5% higher than Allentown (106.442 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 108.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 53.1°F in Allentown (13.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 47.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Riverside, CA.