($520) Movers From New York City, NY to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from New York City to Philadelphia

Moving from New York City to Philadelphia means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in New York City than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how New York City compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 61% lower than in New York City, 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 71.2% lower than in New York City.
• Income in Philadelphia is 9.4% lower than in New York City, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
• The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 55.3% lower than in New York City. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 59.0% lower than in New York City.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 5.36% lower than in New York City.
• Sales taxes are the same in Philadelphia and New York City.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 71.83% lower than in New York City.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,341.37 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New York City.

How life is different in New York City vs. Philadelphia

• Philadelphia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 81% less than New York City.
• Getting around Philadelphia without a car might be more difficult than in New York City. Philadelphia has a public transportation score of 9 out of 10, whereas New York City is ranked 10. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Philadelphia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as New York City. Based on its score of 75 out of 100, Philadelphia isn’t as walkable as New York City, which has a score of 88 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• Philadelphia and New York City are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 67 and 69 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in New York City, 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 50.83 in New York City. 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 New York City, whose index is New York City's 49.17. 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.
• The air quality in Philadelphia and New York City is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your New York City 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Pennsylvania, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toPhiladelphia Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Philadelphia

Now that you’ve chosen "Philly" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia to check out.

Helpful moving resources