($1,686) Movers From Fresno, CA to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Fresno to Philadelphia

Moving from Fresno to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Fresno, 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 3% higher than in Fresno, 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 43.1% lower than in Fresno.
• Income in Philadelphia is 12.3% higher than in Fresno, 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 11.6% higher than in Fresno. 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 15.5% higher than in Fresno.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 49.51% higher than in Fresno.
• Sales taxes are the same in Philadelphia and Fresno.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 76.92% lower than in Fresno.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,347.83 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fresno.

How life is different in Fresno vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 196% greater than Fresno, 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 Fresno, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 5 in Fresno. 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 Fresno. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Fresno, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 47 out of 100 in Fresno. 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 Fresno 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 Fresno is rated as 58 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Fresno, 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 56.85 in Fresno. 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 Fresno, whose index is Fresno's 43.15. 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.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Philadelphia has better air quality than in Fresno. Philadelphia has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Fresno. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Fresno 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