($1,373) Movers From California to Philadelphia

Quick answer: The cost to move from California to Philadelphia, PA averages from $1,592 to $7,904 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • East coast focus
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a professional California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Philadelphia, PA to California guide.

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Moving from California to Philadelphia, PA resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move from California to Philadelphia, PA.

But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 2,834 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best California to Philadelphia, PA moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Philadelphia is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Philadelphia.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here our our recommended services for small moves.

What is the average cost to move from California to Philadelphia, PA?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Philadelphia for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Size of the Move Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,373 - $5,618 $1,466 - $3,549 $1,516 - $2,880
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,937 - $7,904 $2,525 - $5,227 $1,592 - $3,645
4+ bedrooms $7,781 - $12,494 $3,588 - $7,204 $2,183 - $4,474

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,834 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from California to Philadelphia, PA will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in California, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire professional movers from California to Philadelphia?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Philadelphia will cost between $1,373 to $5,618. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from California to Philadelphia will range from $3,937 to $7,904, and a large move from California to Philadelphia will cost from $7,781 to $12,494.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Philadelphia?

Moving containers from California to Philadelphia will cost you $1,466 to $3,549 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,525 to $5,227. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,588 to $7,204.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Philadelphia.

How much is a moving truck from California to Philadelphia?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from California to Philadelphia, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,516 to $2,880. A larger move will cost $1,592 to $3,645, and a four-bedroom or more move from California to Philadelphia costs from $2,183 to $4,474. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Here are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from California.

Is moving from California to Philadelphia, PA a good idea?

Cost of living: California vs Philadelphia, PA

California Philadelphia
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,695
Average home value $771,057 $214,422
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $68,961
Unemployment rate 5% 11%
State income tax 13% 3%
  • Rent is about 9% less expensive in Philadelphia than in California.
  • Home prices are about 72% lower in Philadelphia than in California.
  • The average income is about 25% lower in Philadelphia than in California.
  • Philadelphia has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 96%.
  • Income taxes are 77% lower in Philadelphia than in California.

How is life different in Philadelphia from California?

Philadelphia California
Population 1,603,797 39,029,342
Political leaning Democratic 81-18 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 87ºF 87ºF
Winter low 26ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 47" 22"
Annual snow 13" 7"
Crime index 34.66 28.43
  • The population of Philadelphia is approximately 96% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Philadelphia voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Philadelphia is 87ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Philadelphia reaches the temperature of 26ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in Philadelphia vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Philadelphia, it snows about 13 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Philadelphia has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 34.66 vs 28.43.

Considerations for moving to Philadelphia, PA

  • Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Pennsylvania does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Pennsylvania. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Meathead Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722
(559) 785-0316
House to Home Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
8974 Greenback Ln, Orangevale, CA, 95662
(916) 484-1144

Visit our best movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Need a local Philadelphia mover?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Transtar Moving Systems Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
925 N Lenola Rd, Moorestown, NJ, 08057
(856) 727-1060
Bellhop Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
230 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, 19102
(215) 309-9775

Visit our best movers in Philadelphia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Philadelphia?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Philadelphia.

Museums in Philadelphia

  • Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Barnes
  • Museum of the American Revolution
  • The Franklin Institute
  • Rodin Museum
  • National Museum of American Jewish History
  • Please Touch Museum
  • National Constitution Center
  • Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
  • Penn Museum
  • Mutter Museum
  • Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
  • Betsy Ross House
  • Benjamin Franklin Museum

Parks in Philadelphia

  • Wissahickon Valley Park
  • Spruce Street Harbor Park
  • Fairmount Park
  • Love Park
  • Penn's Landing
  • Franklin Square
  • Washington Square
  • Dilworth Park
  • Pennypack Park
  • FDR Park
  • Sister Cities Park
  • Cira Green
  • Board Game Art Park
  • Horticulture Center - Fairmount Park
  • Smith Memorial Park

Sports Teams in Philadelphia

  • Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
  • Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
  • Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
  • Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Universities in Philadelphia

  • The University of Pennsylvania
  • Temple University
  • Drexel University
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • Drexel University College of Medicine
  • Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Temple University School of Medicine
  • Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

FAQs

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Philadelphia?

Because of the 2834-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Philadelphia as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Philadelphia, PA?

With the summer highs of 87ºF and the winter lows of 26ºF, most people move to Philadelphia from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Philadelphia during summer or winter.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Philadelphia?

Check out our full breakdown of the best long-distance movers in Philadelphia.

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