Moving from Allentown, PA to Salt Lake City, UT
Cross-country relocations like Allentown, PA → Salt Lake City, UT cover 2105 mi and about 37h 21m of driving through 8 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.
2105 mi · 37h 21m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Allentown (99.968) and Salt Lake City (100.868) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Salt Lake City: 0.9% above Allentown on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 17.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Salt Lake City.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.29 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.9% between Allentown and Salt Lake City (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 803,800 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 Salt Lake City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.8°F in Salt Lake City vs 53.1°F in Allentown (2.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 17.7 in vs 47.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2105 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 0.9% higher than Allentown (100.868 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 40.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2105 mi and the route typically takes 37h 21m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 85.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Salt Lake City, UT.