($596) Moving from Washington DC to Philadelphia
Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to Philadelphia costs $158 to $3,478 and takes one-two days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 139-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Washington DC will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Philadelphia to Washington DC guide.
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The best Washington DC to Philadelphia moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Philadelphia.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC to Philadelphia?
Washington DC movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $596 - $2,329 | $523 - $1,142 | $141 - $227 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,169 - $3,478 | $890 - $1,745 | $158 - $282 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,659 - $4,579 | $1,216 - $2,034 | $187 - $310 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Washington DC to Philadelphia
The cost of Washington DC movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Washington DC to Philadelphia can be as low as $596 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $3,931.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Washington DC, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $141 to $310. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Washington DC to Philadelphia?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Washington DC to Philadelphia will cost between $596 to $2,329. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,169 to $3,478, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Washington DC to Philadelphia will cost from $1,659 to $4,579.
How much are moving container companies from Washington DC to Philadelphia?
Moving containers from Washington DC to Philadelphia will cost you $523 to $1,142 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $890 to $1,745. A larger home will cost $1,216 to $2,034.
How much is a moving truck from Washington DC to Philadelphia?
Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $141 to $227. A larger move will cost $158 to $282, and a four-bedroom move from Washington DC to Philadelphia costs from $187 to $310. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Washington DC to Philadelphia
Cost of living: Washington DC vs Philadelphia
| Washington DC | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,450 | $1,695 |
| Average home value | $609,175 | $214,422 |
| Average income (per capita) | $635,900 | $68,961 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,211 | $2,571 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,423 | $5,886 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 10.6% |
| Sales Tax | 6.0% | 8.0% |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 31% lower than in Washington DC.
- Home prices in Philadelphia are 64.8% lower than in Washington DC.
- Income in Philadelphia is 89.2% lower than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 112.3% higher than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 33.1% higher than in Washington DC.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 51.43% higher than in Washington DC.
- Sales taxes in Philadelphia are 33.33% higher than in Washington DC.
- State income taxes in Philadelphia are 46.61% lower than in Washington DC.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $6,369.12 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.
How is life different in Washington DC compared to Philadelphia?
| Philadelphia | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,603,797 | 689,545 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 67 | 70 |
| Crime Index | 34.66 | 46.45 |
| Safety Index | 34.1 | 41.16 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Philadelphia's population is about 133% greater than Washington DC.
- Philadelphia's public transportation has a similar score to Washington DC.
- Philadelphia is less walkable than Washington DC with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
- Philadelphia is less bike-friendly than Washington DC with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 70.
- Philadelphia's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 34.66 compared to Washington DC's 46.45. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 34.66% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45%.
- Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Washington DC with a score of 34.1 vs Washington DC's 41.16.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is good, and in Washington DC it's moderate.
Considerations for moving to Philadelphia
- 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.
Local Washington DC movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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4814 Frolich Ln, Hyattsville, MD, 20781 (703) 566-4391 |
| Gentle Giant Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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5782 2nd Street NE, Washington, MD, 20011 (202) 758-0213 |
| Bookstore Movers, LLC | Get A Quote |
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5200 46th Ave, Hyattsville, MD, 20781 (202) 570-4697 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Washington DC page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
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.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Bella Vista
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
What to do in Philadelphia
These are some of the best things to do in your new Pennsylvania home.
- Independence National Historical Park
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Reading Terminal Market
- Please Touch Museum
- Betsy Ross House
- Franklin Square
- Center City Shopping and LOVE Park
- UPenn (The University of Pennsylvania)
- South Street
- Philadelphia Magic Gardens
- Philadelphia Sports Tailgate
- Italian Market
- Chinatown
- Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and Winterfest
- Barnes Foundation
- Spruce Street Harbor Park
- The Franklin Institute
- Breweries
- Cheesesteaks
- Mutter Museum
- Chestnut Hill
- Wissahickon
- Frankford Ave/Fishtown
Get your sports on!
Philadelphia is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
- Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
- Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
- Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
- Philadelphia Union (MLS)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Washington DC to Philadelphia?
The best time to move from Washington DC to Philadelphia is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.
When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Philadelphia?
Because most people are moving from Washington DC to Philadelphia in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Washington DC to Philadelphia take?
The 139-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Philadelphia, PA, takes one-two days. Some Washington DC movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Philadelphia.
