Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best CA→PA movers

Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.

Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Philadelphia

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Philadelphia runs about 2% higher for singles and -11% higher for families than Bakersfield.

Singles spend around $2,541 in Philadelphia versus $2,493 in Bakersfield; families pay $6,190 compared with $6,940.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Bakersfield	Philadelphia
Average 1 BR rent	$1,850	$1,791
Average 3 BR rent	$2,450	$3,116
Average home value	$389,732	$216,914
Average income (per capita)	$73,827	$70,746
Cost of living (single)	$2,493	$2,541
Cost of living (family of four)	$6,940	$6,190
Unemployment rate	5.9%	10.6%
Sales tax	8.25%	8.0%
State income tax	13.3%	3.07%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Bakersfield to Philadelphia, as rent prices are comparably stable.
Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 44% lower in Philadelphia than in Bakersfield.
The average income in Philadelphia and Bakersfield is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
Since the cost of living for a single person is within 5% of the same in both Philadelphia and Bakersfield, you shouldn't see much difference.
Moving to Philadelphia could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 11% less than in Bakersfield.
The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 80% higher compared to Bakersfield, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
Sales taxes are similar in Philadelphia and Bakersfield (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
Income taxes are 77% lower in Pennsylvania compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.

The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Bakersfield with Philadelphia:

Living Expense	Bakersfield	Philadelphia
Basic utilities	$340.00	$269.29
Cell phone plan	$53.67	$61.40
Dozen eggs	$2.95	$4.30
Loaf of bread	$3.81	$4.15
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$25.00	$20.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$67.50	$90.00
Gym membership	$36.50	$48.67

Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.
Cell phone plans are cheaper in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.
Eggs are less expensive in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.
Bread costs less in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.
A quick meal tends to cost more in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.
A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.
Gym memberships are more affordable in Bakersfield than in Philadelphia.

How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Philadelphia

	Bakersfield	Philadelphia
Population	909,235	1,603,797
Transportation score	4	9
Walkability score	37	75
Bike friendliness score	44	67
Crime index	58.49	66.09
Safety index	41.51	33.91
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Philadelphia's population is about 76% greater than Bakersfield.
Philadelphia's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Bakersfield's score of 4.
Philadelphia is more walkable than Bakersfield with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Bakersfield's 37 out of 100.
With a score of 67 out of 100, Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Bakersfield, which has a score of 44 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than Bakersfield with a score of 66.09 compared to Bakersfield's 58.49. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Bakersfield neighborhoods are safer than 58.49%.
Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Bakersfield with a score of 33.91 vs Bakersfield's 41.51.
Air quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in Bakersfield it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Bakersfield to Philadelphia move

HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving company's license by visiting 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: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Philadelphia smoothly. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

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.

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

Things to do in Philadelphia

After getting comfortable in your new Pennsylvania home, it's time to see what Philadelphia is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Philadelphia offers cultural landmarks like the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, and Museum of the American Revolution.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)Philadelphia Union (MLS) game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Philadelphia?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Bakersfield to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Bakersfield are lower.

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

Because spring and fall moves from Bakersfield to Philadelphia are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Bakersfield to Philadelphia take?

A move of 2,725 miles from Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA generally takes seven to 21 days. Movers in Bakersfield sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Philadelphia is a good fallback if you need extra time.

Which movers in Bakersfield offer piano or antique moving?

Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 2 movers in Bakersfield have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 1 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.

Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.