Moving from Allentown, PA to Seattle, WA
It is 2764 mi and 49h 21m from Allentown to Seattle — 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.
2764 mi · 49h 21m by car · WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Seattle runs about 11.2% more expensive overall than Allentown — RPP 99.968 → 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $309,699 in Allentown to $868,680 in Seattle, a 11.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 37.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.1°F vs 53.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.1 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.2% — $53,403 → $121,984 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 128.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Seattle more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 11.2% higher than Allentown (111.133 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 Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2764 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 Seattle?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.2°F in Seattle vs 53.1°F in Allentown (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.8 in vs 47.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 180.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Seattle, WA from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2764 mi and the route typically takes 49h 21m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Seattle, WA.