Moving from Spokane, WA to Allentown, PA
Moving from Spokane, WA to Allentown, PA is a 2486 mi cross-country relocation β about 44h 14m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2486 mi Β· 44h 14m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Sioux Falls, Rochester, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Spokane (100.346) and Allentown (99.968) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Allentown: 0.4% below Spokane on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 47.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.1 in of snowfall annually at Allentown.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Allentown is 0.4% below Spokane ($65,745 β $53,403, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allentown MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 54,700 | $44,160 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,170 | $43,910 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,110 | $29,620 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,400 | $34,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 28,860 | $79,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β 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 β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β 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
- Winter gear first: Allentown averages 33.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Allentown more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 0.4% lower than Spokane (99.968 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 18.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Allentown?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2486 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 Allentown compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 21.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Allentown, PA from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 2486 mi and the route typically takes 44h 14m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 10 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 Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Allentown, PA.