Moving from Allentown, PA to Baltimore, MD
It is a 140 mi drive, roughly 3h 12m, between Allentown, PA and Baltimore, MD. 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.
140 mi · 3h 12m by car · MD → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | MD → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 222, I 83, US 30 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Baltimore | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 104.487 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 110.215 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 102.353 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 118.194 | 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
4.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Baltimore -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 43.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.0°F moving to Baltimore per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE, MD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 577,193 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $59,623 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 18.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.3 |
Households in Baltimore earn about 4.5% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Baltimore MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,740 | $46,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,980 | $42,010 |
| Management Occupations | 113,490 | $120,070 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 107,080 | $84,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 102,740 | $35,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Maryland
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Maryland'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Baltimore average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Maryland after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Baltimore compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $188,101 in Baltimore vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Baltimore, MD from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 140 mi and the route typically takes 3h 12m via US 222 and I 83. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Baltimore compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,140 in the Baltimore MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 1,304,310 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Baltimore more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Baltimore is 4.5% higher than Allentown (104.487 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Baltimore?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,623 in Baltimore vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 11.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Baltimore?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 140 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Baltimore, MD.