($1,482) Movers From Mobile, AL to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Mobile to Philadelphia

Moving from Mobile to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Mobile, 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 30% higher than in Mobile, 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 Mobile.
  Home prices in Philadelphia are 16.5% higher than in Mobile.
• Income in Philadelphia is 14.2% higher than in Mobile, 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 39.2% higher than in Mobile. 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 50.8% higher than in Mobile.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 70.97% higher than in Mobile.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 20.00% lower than in Mobile.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 38.60% lower than in Mobile.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,176.99 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mobile.

How life is different in Mobile vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 757% greater than Mobile, 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 Mobile, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 3 in Mobile. 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 Mobile. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Mobile, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 32 out of 100 in Mobile. A city’s 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 Mobile 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 Mobile is rated as 34 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Philadelphia as Mobile. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Philadelphia is generally as safe as Mobile, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Philadelphia and Mobile 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 Mobile 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 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.

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.

Helpful moving resources