($1,420) Movers From Ann Arbor, MI to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Ann Arbor to Philadelphia

Moving from Ann Arbor to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Ann Arbor, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 25% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 54.3% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• Income in Philadelphia is 5.6% higher than in Ann Arbor, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Philadelphia, since the cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 16.8% higher than in Ann Arbor. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Philadelphia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 15.8% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 202.86% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 33.33% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 27.76% lower than in Ann Arbor.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,503.22 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How life is different in Ann Arbor vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 1,195% greater than Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 7 in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Ann Arbor, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 52 out of 100 in Ann Arbor. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Philadelphia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Ann Arbor. While Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, Philadelphia earned a 67. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Ann Arbor, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 66.09 in Philadelphia, it is 31.0 in Ann Arbor. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than Ann Arbor, whose index is Ann Arbor's 79.18. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Philadelphia has better air quality than in Ann Arbor. Philadelphia has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Ann Arbor. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Ann Arbor 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Pennsylvania moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Pennsylvania doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Philadelphia. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Philadelphia

Ready to relocate to "Philly"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources