($1,107) Moving From Illinois to Pennsylvania

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to Pennsylvania ranges from $565 to $5,382 and takes one-six days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Illinois to Pennsylvania separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Pennsylvania to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to Pennsylvania movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Pennsylvania 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 Illinois to Pennsylvania:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

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

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
STI Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
(847) 675-1223
Alliance Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
(847) 378-4949

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Pennsylvania?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,107 - $3,783 $764 - $1,889 $550 - $1,043
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,251 - $5,382 $1,432 - $2,646 $565 - $1,155
4+ bedrooms $3,813 - $7,947 $1,918 - $3,617 $757 - $1,443

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 737 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to PA

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Pennsylvania will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Illinois is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to Pennsylvania?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Pennsylvania will cost between $1,107 and $3,783. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to PA will range from $2,251 to $5,382, and a large move from Illinois to Pennsylvania will cost from $3,813 to $7,947.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Pennsylvania?

Moving containers from Illinois to Pennsylvania will cost you $764 to $1,889 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,432 to $2,646. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,918 to $3,617. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to Pennsylvania?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, 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 $550 to $1,043. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $565 to $1,155, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Pennsylvania costs from $757 to $1,443.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to Pennsylvania a good idea?

If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Pennsylvania

Illinois Pennsylvania
Average rent cost $1,038 $958
Average home cost $249,224 $254,802
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $73,170
Cost of Living Index 90 99
Unemployment rate 4.6% 3.4%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 6.34%
State Income Tax 4.95% 3.07%
  • Rent is about 8% less expensive in Pennsylvania than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 2% higher in Pennsylvania than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Pennsylvania than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 10% lower in Pennsylvania than in Illinois.
  • Pennsylvania has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 26%.
  • Sales taxes are 28% lower in Pennsylvania than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 38% lower in Pennsylvania than in Illinois.

How does life in Pennsylvania differ from Illinois?

Pennsylvania Illinois
Population 12,964,056 12,582,032
Political leaning Democratic 50-49 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 83ºF 86ºF
Winter low 19ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 44" 40"
Annual snow 38" 22"
Crime index 19.07 18.79
  • The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 3% greater than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Pennsylvania, it snows about thirty-eight inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 19.07 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Pennsylvania

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus Pennsylvania side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Pennsylvania
Home of Chicago Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Abundant fun and recreational activities
Bountiful recreational opportunities Beautiful landscapes
Delicious food Ample economic opportunity
World-class sports culture Excellent education options

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Pennsylvania

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Pennsylvania.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Pennsylvania
Harsh winter weather Harsh winter weather
Bad traffic Bad driving conditions
High crime rate Nuclear power plants
Dull landscape Unpredictable weather
Strict laws High taxes on gasoline

What to know before your move to Pennsylvania

  • Weather: Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Pennsylvania. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.

Things to do in Pennsylvania

While you’re in Pennsylvania, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Hersheypark
  • Gettysburg National Military Park
  • Fallingwater
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Visit Strasburg
  • Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
  • Valley Forge National Historical Park
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Presque Isle State Park
  • Andy Warhol Museum
  • Longwood Gardens
  • Ohiopyle State Park
  • Knoebels Amusement Resort
  • Flight 93 National Memorial
  • Ricketts Glen State Park
  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History
  • Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
  • Eisenhower National Historic Site
  • Reading Terminal Market

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Pennsylvania?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to Pennsylvania is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Pennsylvania?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Pennsylvania are the amazing upsides of living in Pennsylvania such as low cost of living and abundant fun and recreational activities.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Pennsylvania?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Pennsylvania. Housing is more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 8% less and home prices 2% lower than in Pennsylvania. However, taxes are lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Illinois residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Pennsylvania?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Pennsylvania you live For example, larger cities like Abington and Adams will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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