Key factors that impact the cost of your Boise to Philadelphia movetoggle

The cost of Boise movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Boise to Philadelphia (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,805, while larger moves may reach $15,228 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Boise.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $1,644 to $4,113, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Boise to Philadelphia

Moving from Boise 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 Boise than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Boise compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Boise Philadelphia
Average rent cost $1,495 $1,695
Average home value $481,661 $216,914
Average income (per capita) $76,468 $70,746
Cost of living (single person) $4,100 $2,541
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,810 $6,190
Unemployment rate 3.6% 10.6%
Sales tax 6.0% 8.0%
State income tax 5.8% 3.07%
  • Rent prices in Philadelphia are 13% higher than in Boise, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
    Home prices in Philadelphia are 55.0% lower than in Boise.
  • Income in Philadelphia is 7.5% lower than in Boise, so you could earn less 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 38.0% lower than in Boise. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 9.1% lower than in Boise.
  • The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 194.44% higher than in Boise.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 33.33% higher than in Boise.
  • One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.07% lower than in Boise.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,859.27 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Boise.

How life is different in Boise vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia Boise
Population 1,603,797 235,684
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 4
Walkability score 75 88
Bike friendliness score 67 99
Crime Index 66.09 34.99
Safety Index 33.91 65.01
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Philadelphia is about 580% greater than Boise, 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 Boise, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 4 in Boise. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Philadelphia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Boise. Based on its score of 75 out of 100, Philadelphia isnโ€™t as walkable as Boise, which has a score of 88 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
  • You probably wonโ€™t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Philadelphia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Boise. While Boise has a bike-friendliness score of 99 out of 100, Philadelphia earned a 67. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
  • The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Boise, 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 34.99 in Boise. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than Boise, whose index is Boise's 65.01. 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 Boise 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 Boise 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 PUCโ€™s website is no longer functioning. So if youโ€™re moving within Pennsylvania, youโ€™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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Cedar Park
  • Fishtown
  • Manayunk
  • Point Breeze
  • Washington Square West

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Bella Vista
  • Bustleton
  • Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
  • Foxchase
  • Roxborough

Things to do in Philadelphia

After settling into your new Pennsylvania home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Philadelphia has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Philadelphia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Boise to Philadelphia?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Boise to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Boise are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Boise to Philadelphia?

With many people choosing to move from Boise 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 Boise to Philadelphia take?

Moving from Boise, ID to Philadelphia, PA covers 2,437 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days. Need to move faster? Some Boise movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources