Moving from Allentown, PA to Tempe, AZ
It is 2315 mi and 42h 22m from Allentown to Tempe — 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.
2315 mi · 42h 22m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, AZ 77 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.7°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.3% — $53,403 → $77,643 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- 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 Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 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 (18.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 2315 mi and the route typically takes 42h 22m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2315 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 Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 53.1°F in Allentown (18.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 47.4 in.
Is Tempe more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 3.3% higher than Allentown (103.316 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 45.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 51.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Tempe, AZ.