Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Allentown, PA
Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Allentown, PA is a 2105 mi cross-country relocation — about 37h 21m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2105 mi · 37h 21m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Allentown and Salt Lake City is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Allentown is 0.9% below Salt Lake City — $573,181 vs $309,699 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 47.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8°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: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 33 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Allentown is 0.9% below Salt Lake City ($74,925 vs $53,403, ACS 5-year 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 Utah 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
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
Is Allentown more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 0.9% lower than Salt Lake City (99.968 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 46.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Allentown?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.1°F in Allentown vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 33.1 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.4 in vs 17.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 2105 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Allentown, PA from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 2105 mi and the route typically takes 37h 21m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Allentown, PA.