Moving from Allentown, PA to Long Beach, CA
It is 2703 mi and 48h 34m from Allentown to Long Beach β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2703 mi Β· 48h 34m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.6% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $309,699 to $857,861 moving to Long Beach.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allentown | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 12.0" |
Expect 11.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to rise 13.6% β $53,403 β $83,969 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
How far is Long Beach, CA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2703 mi and the route typically takes 48h 34m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $309,699 in Allentown β a 177.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 13.6% higher than Allentown (113.566 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $53,403 in Allentown β a 57.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2703 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Long Beach, CA.