($973) Moving From Massachusetts to Pennsylvania

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania ranges from $387 to $4,844 and takes one-four 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts guide.

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The best Massachusetts to Pennsylvania movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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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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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(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 Massachusetts movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Poseidon Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
45 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA, 5244
(617) 470-9950
StairHopper Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
20 Harvard Street, Boston, MA, 02129
(857) 928-0876

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

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $973 - $2,904 $634 - $1,531 $335 - $625
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,711 - $4,844 $1,182 - $2,213 $387 - $786
4+ bedrooms $2,825 - $6,354 $1,519 - $2,789 $456 - $932

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 373 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 MA to PA

There are many factors that influence Massachusetts moving costs. The cost to move from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to Pennsylvania?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania will cost between $973 and $2,904. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MA to PA will range from $1,711 to $4,844, and a large move from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania will cost from $2,825 to $6,354.

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

Moving containers from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania will cost you $634 to $1,531 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,182 to $2,213. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,519 to $2,789. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

How much is a moving truck from Massachusetts 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 $335 to $625. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $387 to $786, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania costs from $456 to $932.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Massachusetts vs. Pennsylvania

Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Average rent cost $1,336 $958
Average home cost $588,621 $254,802
Average income (per capita) $96,505 $73,170
Cost of Living Index 100 99
Unemployment rate 2.8% 3.4%
Average Sales Tax 6.25% 6.34%
State Income Tax 9.0% 3.07%
  • Rent is about 28% less expensive in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.
  • Home prices are about 57% lower in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.
  • The average income is about 24% lower in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.
  • Cost of living is 1% lower in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher unemployment rate than Massachusetts by about 21%.
  • Sales taxes are 1% higher in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.
  • Income taxes are 66% lower in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts.

How does life in Pennsylvania differ from Massachusetts?

Pennsylvania Massachusetts
Population 12,964,056 6,981,974
Political leaning Democratic 50-49 Democratic 70-32
Summer high 83ºF 82ºF
Winter low 19ºF 16ºF
Annual rain 44" 49"
Annual snow 38" 47"
Crime index 19.07 13.49
  • The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 86% greater than the population of Massachusetts.
  • In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Democratic and Massachusetts voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF and in Massachusetts, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Massachusetts gets down to 16ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus forty-nine inches of rainfall in Massachusetts.
  • In Pennsylvania, it snows about thirty-eight inches annually versus forty-seven inches of snow in Massachusetts.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher crime rate than Massachusetts with a crime index of 19.07 vs 13.49.

Comparing the pros of Massachusetts vs. Pennsylvania

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

Pros of living in Massachusetts Pros of living in Pennsylvania
Natural beauty Low cost of living
Excellent education system Abundant fun and recreational activities
Delicious seafood Beautiful landscapes
Bountiful recreational opportunities Ample economic opportunity
Home to Boston Excellent education options

Comparing the cons of living in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts for Pennsylvania.

Cons of living in Massachusetts Cons of living in Pennsylvania
Bad traffic Harsh winter weather
Poor driving conditions Bad driving conditions
Harsh winter weather Nuclear power plants
High cost of living Unpredictable weather
Peculiar liquor 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 Massachusetts to Pennsylvania?

The cheapest way to move from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to Pennsylvania?

The main reasons people are moving from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts or Pennsylvania?

It is generally cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than in Massachusetts. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in Pennsylvania, with average rent about 28% less and home prices 56.7% lower than in Massachusetts. Taxes are also lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by Massachusetts 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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