Moving to the Lehigh Valley, PA
Your Complete Relocation Hub
708,000+ residents, top-8% county growth, and about 90 minutes to both New York City and Philadelphia. Start with the checklist, then pick your area.
Why the Lehigh Valley?
~90 min
to both New York City and Philadelphia, about an hour to Philly on most days
Top 8%
Lehigh and Northampton Counties rank in the top 8% of U.S. counties for growth since 2020, per LVEDC analysis of Census data
708,000+
region population, Lehigh and Northampton Counties combined, per the latest Census estimates
2024 Census
top states moving to PA: New Jersey 38,467 · New York 29,274 · Florida 25,048
Figures come from U.S. Census Bureau estimates and LVEDC analysis of Census data. Tim confirms current market details on every call.
Seven areas, one region: pick your guide
Each guide covers neighborhoods, schools, commute, cost of living, market facts, and things to do, written by someone who has worked the region for 36+ years.
The whole region
Lehigh Valley Guide
The full-region overview: 708,000+ people, top-8% growth, and how all seven areas fit together.
Value & downtown energy
Allentown Guide
Median sale price around $255K, the lowest entry point, with a downtown that keeps building.
Walkable historic charm
Bethlehem Guide
UNESCO heritage, Main Street living, Musikfest, and the most walkable city core in the Valley.
Closest to New Jersey
Easton Guide
About 75 to 90 minutes to NYC on I-78, the farmers market, and the State Theatre.
Small-town value
Northampton Guide
A real Main Street, the Lehigh River, and medians near $330K with the borough plus Allen Township.
Best schools
Parkland Guide
The region's most in-demand district across three townships, with medians from about $380K.
Commuters & value
Whitehall Guide
I-78 five minutes away, every store you need, and medians around $300K to $320K.
All 60+ Communities
The full community directory, from Bangor to Wilson, with every district and township.
Living in the Lehigh Valley
The lifestyle hub: four seasons, major employers, new-resident setup, getting around, healthcare, and what buying here is really like.
Cost of living: Lehigh Valley areas vs NJ vs NY
The metro index runs right around the U.S. average (100), while New Jersey runs near 115 and New York near 125. Housing is where the difference bites, and these recent data points show the spread.
| Location | Cost-of-living index | Median home price (recent) | Why relocators pick it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | ≈ 98 | ~$255K | Lowest entry point, downtown NIZ energy |
| Bethlehem | ≈ 97 | ~$318K | Walkable historic core, festivals, UNESCO |
| Easton | ≈ 98 | ~$290K–$375K | Closest to NJ, farmers market, State Theatre |
| Northampton | ≈ 98 | ~$330K | Small-town Main Street, riverfront |
| Parkland | ≈ 97–99 | ~$380K–$480K | Region's most in-demand school district |
| Whitehall | ≈ 97–99 | ~$300K–$320K | I-78 and Route 22 at the door |
| New Jersey (for comparison) | ≈ 115 | ~$485K statewide | Highest property taxes in the nation |
| New York (for comparison) | ≈ 125 | NYC medians ~2.5× higher | State income tax up to 10.9% |
Cost-of-living indexes from BestPlaces and similar public index sources (national average = 100). Median figures from recent public market data; confirm current comparables with Tim.
Where should you live?
Pick your priority and see which Lehigh Valley area Tim would start your search in. This is guidance, not a ranking, your actual fit wins on the call.
If schools come first, start with Parkland
Parkland is the region's most in-demand district, and it shows in pricing and demand. Northampton Area is the honest value alternative with a solid district footprint.
Parkland
Top-rated district, ~9,500 students, largest high school in the Valley; township medians from about $380K.
Northampton Area
Solid district across 97+ square miles at a meaningfully lower entry point.
Wilson Area
Highly rated, ~2,120 students, sits right next to Easton for value-minded school buyers.
School district comparison for relocating buyers
In Pennsylvania, your street address determines the district, so the district you compare is as important as the town you tour. These are the districts tied to the area guides above.
| District | Students | What it is known for | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland SD | ~9,500 | Region's most in-demand district, largest HS in the Valley | N. Whitehall, S. Whitehall, Upper Macungie, n. Allentown |
| Northampton Area SD | ~5,500 | Solid, well-regarded, spans 97+ sq miles | Northampton, Bath, Allen Twp, Lehigh Twp, Moore Twp |
| Whitehall-Coplay SD | ~5,200 | Central, five schools, strong community ties | Whitehall Twp, Coplay |
| Bethlehem Area SD | ~14,000 | Largest district in the region, two high schools | Bethlehem, Bethlehem Twp, parts of Hanover Twp |
| Allentown SD | ~16,000 | One of PA's largest; charter options available | Allentown |
| Easton Area SD | ~7,900–9,000 | Serves the city plus Palmer and Forks Townships | Easton, Palmer Twp, Forks Twp |
| Wilson Area SD | ~2,120 | Highly rated, five schools, next to Easton | Wilson borough, Easton-adjacent |
Start with Your First 90 Days After Moving to the Lehigh Valley: the practical checklist for your PA driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance, voter registration, property taxes, banking, and utilities, then book a free call with Tim to plan the house hunt.
Moving from another state?
Choose your origin state for a detailed comparison with tax numbers, commute options, and cost-of-living breakdowns.
Moving from New Jersey
Highest property taxes in the nation
Moving from New York
NYC median home price 2.5× higher
Moving from Connecticut
Income tax up to 6.99% vs PA 3.07%
Moving from Maryland
Income tax up to 5.75% vs PA 3.07%
Moving from Delaware
Stronger school districts in Lehigh Valley
Moving from Washington DC
DC metro cost of living 50–70% higher
Moving from Ohio
East Coast access & higher wages
Moving from Virginia
More affordable housing & PA schools
Moving from Massachusetts
Dramatic cost savings vs Greater Boston
Moving from The Carolinas
Four-season climate & cultural density
Relocation resources
Tools and guides to plan every part of the move, updated with current Pennsylvania rules.
Talk to Tim about your move
Tell Tim where you are coming from, he will tell you where to land
Send a few lines about your move and Tim will reply personally, usually the same day, with honest guidance on areas, school boundaries, budget, and timing. No spam, no pressure.
Book a free 30-minute relocation call
calendly.com/timtepes/30min
Call or text Tim directly
(484) 275-0056
Tim Tepes, PA Licensed Associate Broker · REALTOR® · AB062628L. 36+ years in the Lehigh Valley, 700+ documented transactions, 2,000+ clients across Northampton, Lehigh, and Carbon Counties.
Plan your Lehigh Valley move
Where are you moving from, when, and what are you looking for?
How Tim Tepes helps relocators
Relocating involves more than picking a house. Tax implications, school district boundaries, real commute times, and community fit all need a local expert who has been doing this for decades, and that is exactly what Tim brings to the table.
Tim Tepes is a PA Licensed Associate Broker with 36+ years of experience and 700+ documented transactions across the Lehigh Valley. As Past President of the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® and founder of Tim Tepes Real Estate LLC with Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Cassidon Realty, he has helped thousands of residents relocate from New Jersey, New York, and beyond.
Tim verifies the school boundary for every address, reads the property tax line before you fall in love, and tells you honestly when a cheaper area fits your life better than the famous one.
Relocation FAQ
Why are so many people moving to the Lehigh Valley?
How far is the Lehigh Valley from New York City and Philadelphia?
How fast is the Lehigh Valley growing?
What is the cost of living in the Lehigh Valley?
Which Lehigh Valley areas combine strong schools with other priorities?
Which area should I choose for commuting to NYC or New Jersey?
What does the Lehigh Valley offer for schools, recreation, and housing?
How can Tim Tepes help me relocate?
Ready to Make the Move?
Schedule a free consultation with Tim Tepes. He has helped thousands of residents relocate to the Lehigh Valley and knows every community, school district, and market trend in the region.
timtepes@gmail.com · Book Online