Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Allentown, PA
Relocating between Jersey City, NJ and Allentown, PA is a 87 mi drive — 1h 47m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
87 mi · 1h 47m by car · NJ → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 78, NJTP, PA 145 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.2% cheaper overall in Allentown than Jersey City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 47.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.1 in of snowfall annually at Allentown.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.2% — $94,813 → $53,403 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 New Jersey 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
- 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: Allentown averages 33.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 53.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 43.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Allentown more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 11.2% lower than Jersey City (99.968 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Allentown, PA from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 87 mi and the route typically takes 1h 47m via I 78 and NJTP. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Allentown?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.1°F in Allentown vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 33.1 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 47.4 in vs 50.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City 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 87 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 Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Allentown, PA.