($1,605) Movers From Stockton, CA to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Stockton to Philadelphia

Moving from Stockton to Philadelphia means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Stockton than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Stockton compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 5% lower than in Stockton, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
  Home prices in Philadelphia are 50.4% lower than in Stockton.
• Income in Philadelphia is 10.7% higher than in Stockton, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
• The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 32.5% lower than in Stockton. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 9.1% lower than in Stockton.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 2.91% higher than in Stockton.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 11.11% lower than in Stockton.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 76.92% lower than in Stockton.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,023.63 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Stockton.

How life is different in Stockton vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 400% greater than Stockton, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Philadelphia offers better access to buses and trains than Stockton, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 4 in Stockton. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Philadelphia means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Stockton. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Stockton, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 44 out of 100 in Stockton. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Philadelphia is considered more bike-friendly than Stockton in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Stockton is rated as 52 out of 100.
• Philadelphia has a lower crime rate than Stockton based on scores of 66.09 and Stockton's 75.2, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Philadelphia than in Stockton, based on Philadelphia’s safety index of 33.91 versus 24.8 for Stockton. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Philadelphia and Stockton is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Stockton vs. Philadelphia move

• 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: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 Philadelphia. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Philadelphia

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Philly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources