Moving from Manchester, NH to Allentown, PA
It is a 334 mi drive, roughly 7h 8m, between Manchester, NH and Allentown, PA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
334 mi · 7h 8m by car · PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA → NH
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA → NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 78, I 95, PA 309 |
| Major cities en route | Newark, Elizabeth, New York, Jersey City, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.4% cheaper overall in Allentown than Manchester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Manchester | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 13°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 47.4" |
Annual temperature rises 5.7°F moving to Allentown per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.1 in of snowfall annually at Allentown.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.72 |
Allentown households earn about 5.4% less than Manchester at the median — $77,415 → $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 New Hampshire 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.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather — check NH 511.
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 Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $435,334 in Manchester — a 28.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Allentown more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 5.4% lower than Manchester (99.968 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Allentown, PA from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 334 mi and the route typically takes 7h 8m via I 78 and I 95. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Manchester 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 334 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $77,415 in Manchester — a 31.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Manchester and Allentown?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.1°F in Allentown vs 47.4°F in Manchester (5.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 33.1 in vs 52.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.4 in vs 42.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH · Allentown, PA.