($592) Moving from Washington DC to Philadelphia

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Dec 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to Philadelphia costs $156 to $3,451 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.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.85 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote (855) 650-0657

Best for personalized service Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.9 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote (980) 217-6841

Best for Quick Quotes BLVD Moving rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned & operated Affordable pricing Same-day estimates Get A Quote (844) 794-6004

Best Nationwide Coverage PODS rating 4.8 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Unlimited storage 3 container sizes 10% discount Get A Quote Visit Website

Most Experienced Mover American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Certified crews Flat-rate pricing Family-owned Get A Quote (866) 835-2392

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.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.85 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote (855) 650-0657

Best for personalized service Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.9 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote (980) 217-6841

Best for Quick Quotes BLVD Moving rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned & operated Affordable pricing Same-day estimates Get A Quote (844) 794-6004

• 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:

Pros and cons of moving from Washington DC to Philadelphia

Cost of living: Washington DC vs Philadelphia

• 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'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 Olympia Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.9 overall rating	4814 Frolich Ln, Hyattsville, MD, 20781 (703) 566-4391
Gentle Giant Moving Company	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	5782 2nd Street NE, Washington, MD, 20011 (202) 758-0213
Bookstore Movers, LLC	Get A Quote	4.72 overall rating	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.

Helpful moving resources