$1,627 Movers From California to Philadelphia, PA

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The cost to move from California to Philadelphia, PA averages from $2,046 to $8,997 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Philadelphia, PA to California guide.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote (855) 650-0657 % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote (866) 835-2392 % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote (980) 217-6841 % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote (844) 950-2963 % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote (703) 972-1772 % of users select this mover

Moving from California to Philadelphia, PA resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move from California to Philadelphia, PA.
But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

• Best California to Philadelphia, PA movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company be sure to check out our list of the top movers from California to Philadelphia, PA.
• How much will your move cost?: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
• Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
• California to Philadelphia, PA car shippers: Moving your car? Use an experienced company that prioritizes professionalism and cares for your vehicle.

Moving 2,834 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best California to Philadelphia, PA moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Philadelphia is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Philadelphia.

• Safeway Moving: Best overall value
• American Van Lines: Best industry reputation
• Mayzlin Relocation: Best upfront pricing
• North American Van Lines: Best for complex moves
• JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote (855) 650-0657 % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote (866) 835-2392 % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote (980) 217-6841 % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote (844) 950-2963 % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote (703) 972-1772 % of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

What is the average cost to move from California to Philadelphia, PA?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Philadelphia for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,834 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from California to Philadelphia, PA will depend on:

• Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
• Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in California, so moving companies will likely charge more.
• DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire professional movers from California to Philadelphia>?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Philadelphia will cost between $1,627 to $6,265. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Philadelphia to PA will range from $4,761 to $8,997, and a large move from California to Philadelphia will cost from $8,344 to $14,958.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Philadelphia?

Moving containers from California to Philadelphia will cost you $1,671 to $4,249 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $3,052 to $6,259. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $4,091 to $8,122.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Philadelphia.

How much is a moving truck from California to Philadelphia?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from California to Philadelphia, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,907 to $3,664. A larger move will cost $2,046 to $3,985, and a four-bedroom or more move from California to Philadelphia costs from $2,587 to $5,098. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Here are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from California.

Is moving from California to Philadelphia, PA a good idea?

Cost of living: California vs Philadelphia, PA

• Rent is about 7% more expensive in Philadelphia than in California.
• Home prices are about 71% lower in Philadelphia than in California.
• The average income is about 25% lower in Philadelphia than in California.
• Philadelphia has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 121%.
• Income taxes are 77% lower in Philadelphia than in California.

How is life different in Philadelphia from California?

• The population of Philadelphia is approximately 96% lower than the population of California.
• In the last presidential election, Philadelphia voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
• The average high in the summertime in Philadelphia is 87ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
• During the coldest part of the year, Philadelphia reaches the temperature of 26ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
• You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in Philadelphia vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
• In Philadelphia, it snows about 13 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
• Philadelphia has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 34.66 vs 27.88.

Considerations for moving to Philadelphia, PA

• 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
• Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
• 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 on the state regulator's official website.
• 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 forward to Pennsylvania. Get started here.
• Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Meathead Movers	Get A Quote	5 overall rating	3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328
Maison Moving	Get A Quote	4.96 overall rating	1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780 (800) 832-5950
Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.9 overall rating	8362 Galena Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95828 (916) 596-9374

Visit our best movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Need a local Philadelphia mover?

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Packhorse Moving	Get A Quote	3.76 overall rating	1210 Stanbridge St, Norristown, PA, 19401 (877) 309-7225
Zip to Zip Moving Inc	Get A Quote	4.9 overall rating	558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 (484) 214-2143
Hughes Relocation Services	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	1180 Church Rd Suite 500, Lansdale, PA, 19446 (215) 345-0234

Visit our best movers in Philadelphia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Philadelphia?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Philadelphia.

Museums in Philadelphia

• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Barnes
• Museum of the American Revolution
• The Franklin Institute
• Rodin Museum
• National Museum of American Jewish History
• Please Touch Museum
• National Constitution Center
• Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
• Penn Museum
• Mutter Museum
• Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
• Betsy Ross House
• Benjamin Franklin Museum

Parks in Philadelphia

• Wissahickon Valley Park
• Spruce Street Harbor Park
• Fairmount Park
• Love Park
• Penn's Landing
• Franklin Square
• Washington Square
• Dilworth Park
• Pennypack Park
• FDR Park
• Sister Cities Park
• Cira Green
• Board Game Art Park
• Horticulture Center - Fairmount Park
• Smith Memorial Park

Sports Teams in Philadelphia

• Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
• Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
• Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
• Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
• Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Universities in Philadelphia

• The University of Pennsylvania
• Temple University
• Drexel University
• Thomas Jefferson University
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Temple University School of Medicine
• Thomas Jefferson University's Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Philadelphia, PA

• What is the cost to move in Philadelphia?
• What is the cost to move to Pennsylvania?
• Who’s Moving Into and Out of Philadelphia?
• Philadelphia Neighborhood Guide
• 40 Lesser-Known Things To Do In Philadelphia
• What is the cost of living in Philadelphia, PA?
• Is Moving to Philadelphia Worth It?
• Best moving companies in Pennsylvania