Moving from Kent, WA to Allentown, PA
It is 2760 mi and 49h 19m from Kent to Allentown β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2760 mi Β· 49h 19m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY 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 | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.0% moving from Kent to Allentown β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $656,314 in Kent to $309,699 in Allentown, a 10.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 47.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.8Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Allentown sees 33.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.0% β $90,416 β $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 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 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Allentown averages 33.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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 far is Allentown, PA from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2760 mi and the route typically takes 49h 19m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent 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 Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 10.0% lower than Kent (99.968 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $90,416 in Kent β a 40.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Allentown?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2760 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $656,314 in Kent β a 52.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Allentown, PA.