Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Allentown, PA
It is a 479 mi drive, roughly 9h 35m, between Winston-Salem, NC and Allentown, PA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
479 mi Β· 9h 35m by car Β· NC β VA β WV β MD β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β WV β MD β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 220, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Allentown | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 99.968 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 107.591 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.569 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 105.52 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.6% above Winston-Salem β 92.043 β 99.968 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.6% above Winston-Salem β $264,333 β $309,699 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Allentown +3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 33.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 47.4" |
Annual temperature drops 6.4Β°F moving to Allentown per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 33.1 in of snowfall annually at Allentown.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Allentown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 125,320 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $53,403 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 13.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.72 |
Households in Allentown earn about 8.6% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 North Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Allentown compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,699 in Allentown vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 17.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Allentown?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,403 in Allentown vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 7.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Allentown, PA from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 479 mi and the route typically takes 9h 35m via I 81 and US 220. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Allentown?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 479 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Allentown more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allentown is 8.6% higher than Winston-Salem (99.968 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Allentown compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,940 in the Allentown MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 368,680 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Allentown, PA.