Moving from Allentown, PA to Austin, TX
A 1654 mi cross-country move between Allentown and Austin is 29h 51m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1654 mi · 29h 51m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.9°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 1.9% more than Allentown at the median — $53,403 → $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Austin, TX from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1654 mi and the route typically takes 29h 51m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1654 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Austin more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 1.9% lower than Allentown (98.066 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 53.1°F in Allentown (16.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 47.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 64.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 71.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Austin, TX.