Ontario, CA to Philadelphia, PA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Ontario to Philadelphia typically costs $4,400–$8,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,674 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Ontario to Philadelphia
Moving from Ontario, CA to Philadelphia, PA typically costs $4,400–$8,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,674-mile move from Ontario to Philadelphia, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- AB Moving recently quoted $9,328 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $3,702 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $5,084 for a 3 bedroom using a moving container.
Factors that impact moving costs from Ontario to Philadelphia
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,800, but larger homes can run up to $13,800.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Ontario.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,600–$4,800) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Philadelphia, PA to Ontario, CA guide.
Best Ontario to Philadelphia movers by type
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Best professional movers from Ontario to Philadelphia
For a stress-free interstate move from Ontario to Philadelphia, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
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 Ontario to Philadelphia
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Philadelphia runs about 3% higher for singles and 7% higher for families than Ontario.
Singles spend around $2,541 in Philadelphia versus $2,473 in Ontario; families pay $6,190 compared with $5,793.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Ontario | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,900 | $1,791 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,000 | $3,116 |
| Average home value | $668,089 | $216,914 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,908 | $70,746 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,473 | $2,541 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,793 | $6,190 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.75% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 3.07% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 35% lower in Philadelphia than in Ontario, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 68% lower in Philadelphia than in Ontario.
- The average income in Philadelphia and Ontario 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 Ontario, you shouldn't see much difference.
- If your journey leads to Philadelphia, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 7% more than it is in Ontario.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 54% higher compared to Ontario, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 9% lower in Philadelphia than in Ontario. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Philadelphia can reduce your overall living expenses.
- 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 Ontario with Philadelphia:
| Living Expense | Ontario | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $226.85 | $269.29 |
| Cell phone plan | $43.00 | $61.40 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.45 | $4.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.59 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $65.00 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $100.00 | $48.67 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Ontario than in Philadelphia, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Ontario than in Philadelphia.
- Eggs cost more in Ontario than in Philadelphia.
- Bread is more expensive in Ontario than in Philadelphia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Ontario than in Philadelphia.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Ontario than in Philadelphia.
- Gym memberships cost more in Ontario than in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Ontario vs. Philadelphia
| Ontario | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,265 | 1,603,797 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 48 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 46 | 67 |
| Crime index | 50.25 | 66.09 |
| Safety index | 49.75 | 33.91 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Philadelphia's population is about 815% greater than Ontario.
- Philadelphia's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Ontario's score of 5.
- Philadelphia is more walkable than Ontario with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Ontario's 48 out of 100.
- With a score of 67 out of 100, Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Ontario, which has a score of 46 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 Ontario with a score of 66.09 compared to Ontario's 50.25. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Ontario neighborhoods are safer than 50.25%.
- Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Ontario with a score of 33.91 vs Ontario's 49.75.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in Ontario it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Ontario 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.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Philadelphia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Ontario to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Ontario are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Ontario to Philadelphia?
Because spring and fall moves from Ontario 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 Ontario to Philadelphia take?
A move of 2,674 miles from Ontario, CA to Philadelphia, PA generally takes seven to 21 days. Movers in Ontario sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Philadelphia is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Ontario?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 3 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Ontario offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 68 movers in Ontario have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 54 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.