Key factors that impact the cost of your Huntsville to Philadelphia move
What to know before moving from Huntsville to Philadelphia
Moving from Huntsville to Philadelphia means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Huntsville than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Huntsville compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Huntsville | Philadelphia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,409 | $1,695 |
Average home value | $266,736 | $216,914 |
Average income (per capita) | $60,959 | $70,746 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,133 | $2,541 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,140 | $6,190 |
Unemployment rate | 3.1% | 10.6% |
Sales tax | 9.0% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 5.0% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 20% higher than in Huntsville, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
Home prices in Philadelphia are 18.7% lower than in Huntsville. - Income in Philadelphia is 16.1% higher than in Huntsville, so you could earn more 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 18.9% lower than in Huntsville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Philadelphia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 49.5% higher than in Huntsville.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 241.94% higher than in Huntsville.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the cityโs sales taxes in Philadelphia are 11.11% lower than in Huntsville.
- One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 38.60% lower than in Huntsville.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,433.13 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Huntsville.
How life is different in Huntsville vs. Philadelphia
Philadelphia | Huntsville | |
---|---|---|
Population | 1,603,797 | 241,114 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 2 |
Walkability score | 75 | 24 |
Bike friendliness score | 67 | 40 |
Crime Index | 66.09 | 42.55 |
Safety Index | 33.91 | 57.45 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Philadelphia is about 565% greater than Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 2 in Huntsville. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Philadelphia means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Huntsville. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Huntsville, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 24 out of 100 in Huntsville. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Philadelphia is considered more bike-friendly than Huntsville in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Huntsville is rated as 40 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Huntsville, 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 42.55 in Huntsville. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than Huntsville, whose index is Huntsville's 57.45. 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 Huntsville 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 Huntsville 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: 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 PUCโs website is no longer functioning. So if youโre moving within Pennsylvania, youโll 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.
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)
- Roxborough
Things to do in Philadelphia
Once youโre settled into your new home in Pennsylvania, itโs time to get out and discover what Philadelphia has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Philadelphia features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Philadelphia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Huntsville to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Huntsville are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Huntsville to Philadelphia?
With many people choosing to move from Huntsville to Philadelphia in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Huntsville to Philadelphia take?
Moving from Huntsville, AL to Philadelphia, PA covers 836 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Huntsville movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.