Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Allentown, PA
Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Allentown, PA covers 283 mi and about 5h 37m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
283 mi · 5h 37m by car · PA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, PATP, I 78 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pittsburgh | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.671 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.711 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.684 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.986 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.6% pricier overall in Allentown than Pittsburgh on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Allentown typical home at $309,699 is 5.6% above Pittsburgh at $237,533 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Pittsburgh -0.4%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pittsburgh | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.3" | 47.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.4°F vs 53.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Allentown sees 33.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pittsburgh | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $64,137 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.21 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Allentown is 5.6% below Pittsburgh ($64,137 → $53,403, 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Allentown, PA from Pittsburgh, PA?
The driving distance is 283 mi and the route typically takes 5h 37m via I 76 and PATP. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Pittsburgh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $237,533 in Pittsburgh — a 30.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pittsburgh 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 283 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Pittsburgh vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh — a 16.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Pittsburgh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 1,071,900 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Allentown more expensive than Pittsburgh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 5.6% higher than Pittsburgh (99.968 vs 94.671, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pittsburgh.
City profiles: Pittsburgh, PA · Allentown, PA.