Moving from Allentown, PA to Fremont, CA
Moving from Allentown, PA to Fremont, CA is a 2855 mi cross-country relocation — about 50h 16m of driving through 10 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.
2855 mi · 50h 16m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.7% pricier overall in Fremont than Allentown on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fremont typical home at $1,543,132 is 15.7% above Allentown at $309,699 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 14.4" |
Fremont runs 6.8°F warmer on the annual average (53.1°F vs 59.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fremont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.97 |
Median household income in Fremont is 15.7% above Allentown ($53,403 vs $176,350, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fremont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Dry climate: Fremont sees only 14.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fremont more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 15.7% higher than Allentown (115.613 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2855 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 53.1°F in Allentown (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 47.4 in.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 230.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fremont, CA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2855 mi and the route typically takes 50h 16m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 398.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Fremont, CA.