Moving from Allentown, PA to Tacoma, WA
Cross-country relocations like Allentown, PA β Tacoma, WA cover 2777 mi and about 49h 38m 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.
2777 mi Β· 49h 38m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.2% pricier overall in Tacoma than Allentown on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tacoma typical home at $493,840 is 11.2% above Allentown at $309,699 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allentown | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 40.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.1Β°F vs 53.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.2% between Allentown and Tacoma (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2777 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 11.2% higher than Allentown (111.133 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $309,699 in Allentown β a 59.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $53,403 in Allentown β a 57.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2777 mi and the route typically takes 49h 38m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA Β· Tacoma, WA.