Moving from Bellevue, WA to Allentown, PA
A 2754 mi cross-country move between Bellevue and Allentown is 49h 9m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2754 mi · 49h 9m by car · WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, Everett, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Allentown at 99.968 vs Bellevue at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,516,154 to $309,699 moving to Allentown.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 47.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Bellevue (53.2°F) and Allentown (53.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Allentown averages 33.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.72 |
Allentown households earn about 10.0% less than Bellevue at the median — $161,300 → $53,403 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allentown MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 54,700 | $44,160 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,170 | $43,910 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,110 | $29,620 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,400 | $34,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 28,860 | $79,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — 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 — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Allentown averages 33.1 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Allentown, PA from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 2754 mi and the route typically takes 49h 9m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 66.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Allentown?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2754 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 79.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Allentown more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 10.0% lower than Bellevue (99.968 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Allentown?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.1°F in Allentown vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 33.1 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.4 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Allentown, PA.