($1,451) Movers From Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Madison to Philadelphia

Moving from Madison to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Madison, 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 6% higher than in Madison, which means you’ll have less 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 41.0% lower than in Madison.
• Income in Philadelphia is 12.4% higher than in Madison, 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 10.9% higher than in Madison. 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 13.4% higher than in Madison.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 221.21% higher than in Madison.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 45.45% higher than in Madison.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 59.87% lower than in Madison.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,325.92 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.

How life is different in Madison vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 494% greater than Madison, 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 Madison, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 6 in Madison. 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 Madison. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Madison, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 50 out of 100 in Madison. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Philadelphia and Madison are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 67 and 66 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 Madison, 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 34.57 in Madison. 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 Madison, whose index is Madison's 65.43. 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 Madison 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 Madison 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Pennsylvania, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Pennsylvania doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Philadelphia without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Philadelphia

With your sights set on "Philly", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources