Moving from Allentown, PA to Philadelphia, PA
It is a short 49 mi hop from Allentown, PA to Philadelphia, PA — roughly 1h 22m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
49 mi · 1h 22m by car · PA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | PA 309, PA 145 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Allentown and Philadelphia sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $309,699 in Allentown to $231,815 in Philadelphia, a 2.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 50.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.1°F vs 57.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.36 |
Households in Philadelphia earn about 2.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 22m via PA 309 and PA 145. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 25.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 2.6% higher than Allentown (102.554 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 53.1°F in Allentown (4.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 47.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 49 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 13.7% 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 · Philadelphia, PA.