($951) Moving from Raleigh to Philadelphia

Quick answer: A move from Raleigh to Philadelphia costs $408 to $4,365 and takes one-four 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 422-mile move yourself.

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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Raleigh 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 Raleigh guide.

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The best Raleigh to Philadelphia moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Philadelphia.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Raleigh to Philadelphia?

Raleigh movers charge $93 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 $951 - $2,778 $632 - $1,486 $372 - $650
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,728 - $4,365 $1,088 - $2,304 $408 - $778
4+ bedrooms $2,788 - $6,370 $1,594 - $2,887 $482 - $981
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 422 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Raleigh to Philadelphia

The cost of Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Philadelphia can be as low as $951 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,405.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Raleigh, 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 $372 to $816. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Raleigh to Philadelphia?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Raleigh to Philadelphia will cost between $951 to $2,778. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,728 to $4,365, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Raleigh to Philadelphia will cost from $2,788 to $6,370.

How much are moving container companies from Raleigh to Philadelphia?

Moving containers from Raleigh to Philadelphia will cost you $632 to $1,486 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,088 to $2,304. A larger home will cost $1,594 to $2,887.

How much is a moving truck from Raleigh 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 $372 to $650. A larger move will cost $408 to $778, and a four-bedroom move from Raleigh to Philadelphia costs from $482 to $981. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Raleigh to Philadelphia

Cost of living: Raleigh vs Philadelphia

Raleigh Philadelphia
Average rent cost $1,695 $1,695
Average home value $429,266 $214,422
Average income (per capita) $63,654 $68,961
Cost of Living (single person) $2,606 $2,571
Cost of Living (family of 4) $6,274 $5,886
Unemployment rate 4.3% 10.6%
Sales Tax 7.25% 8.0%
State Income Tax 4.5% 3.07%
  • Rent prices are the same in Philadelphia and Raleigh.
  • Home prices in Philadelphia are 50.0% lower than in Raleigh.
  • Income in Philadelphia is 8.3% higher than in Raleigh.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 1.3% lower than in Raleigh.
  • The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 6.2% lower than in Raleigh.
  • The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 146.51% higher than in Raleigh.
  • Sales taxes in Philadelphia are 10.34% higher than in Raleigh.
  • State income taxes in Philadelphia are 31.78% lower than in Raleigh.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,959.71 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Raleigh.

How is life different in Raleigh compared to Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Raleigh
Population 1,603,797 467,665
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 4
Walkability score 75 31
Bike friendliness score 67 39
Crime Index 34.66 27.14
Safety Index 34.1 61.79
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Philadelphia's population is about 243% greater than Raleigh.
  • Philadelphia's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Raleigh's higher score of 4.
  • Philadelphia is more walkable than Raleigh with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Raleigh's 31 out of 100.
  • Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Raleigh with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Raleigh's 39.
  • Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than Raleigh with a score of 34.66 compared to Raleigh's 27.14. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 34.66% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Raleigh neighborhoods are safer than 27.14%.
  • Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Raleigh with a score of 34.1 vs Raleigh's 61.79.
  • Air quality in Philadelphia is good, and in Raleigh 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 Raleigh movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Bellhop Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
8024 Glenwood Ave Suite 305, Raleigh, NC, 27612
(919) 371-2271
Little Guys Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
1301 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC, 27603
(919) 439-2454

Visit our best long distance movers in Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Philadelphia?

The best time to move from Raleigh to Philadelphia is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Raleigh.

When is the cheapest time to move from Raleigh to Philadelphia?

Because most people are moving from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Philadelphia take?

The 422-mile move from Raleigh, NC, to Philadelphia, PA, takes one-four days. Some Raleigh movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Philadelphia.

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