Moving from Allentown, PA to Ontario, CA
It is 2654 mi and 47h 35m from Allentown to Ontario β a cross-country move across 11 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.
2654 mi Β· 47h 35m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Ontario runs about 6.5% more expensive overall than Allentown β RPP 99.968 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $309,699 in Allentown to $672,742 in Ontario, a 6.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allentown | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 11.6" |
Expect 13.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.5% β $53,403 β $82,806 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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.
- 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 Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 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 (13.7Β°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 does household income compare in Allentown vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $53,403 in Allentown β a 55.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Ontario, CA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2654 mi and the route typically takes 47h 35m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2654 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $309,699 in Allentown β a 117.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ontario more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 6.5% higher than Allentown (106.442 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA Β· Ontario, CA.