Factors affecting the cost of moving from KS to PA
There are many factors that influence
Kansas moving costs.
The cost to move from Kansas to Pennsylvania will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
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Time of year: The peak moving season
in Kansas is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
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DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from KS to PA
If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from Kansas, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Kansas vs. Pennsylvania
|
Kansas |
Pennsylvania |
Average rent cost |
$986 |
$1,110 |
Average home cost |
$229,012 |
$268,824 |
Average income (per capita) |
$69,747 |
$73,170 |
Cost of Living Index |
87 |
99 |
Unemployment rate |
3.4% |
3.4% |
Average Sales Tax |
8.65% |
6.34% |
State Income Tax |
5.7% |
3.07% |
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Rent is about 13% more expensive in Pennsylvania than in Kansas.
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Home prices are about 17% higher in Pennsylvania than in Kansas.
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The average income is about 5% higher in Pennsylvania than in Kansas.
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Cost of living is 14% lower in Pennsylvania than in Kansas.
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Pennsylvania and Kansas have about the same unemployment rate.
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Sales taxes are 27% lower in Pennsylvania than in Kansas.
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Income taxes are 46% lower in Pennsylvania than in Kansas.
How life is different in Pennsylvania vs. Kansas
|
Pennsylvania |
Kansas |
Population |
12,961,683 |
2,940,546 |
Political leaning |
Republican 51-49 |
Republican 57.1%-41.1 |
Summer high |
83ºF |
91ºF |
Winter low |
19ºF |
19ºF |
Annual rain |
44" |
33" |
Annual snow |
38" |
15" |
Crime index |
17.62 |
24.07 |
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The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 341% greater than the population of Kansas.
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In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Republican and Kansas voted Republican.
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The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF
and in Kansas, it’s 91ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF
and Kansas gets down to 19ºF.
-
You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus 33 inches of rainfall in Kansas.
-
In Pennsylvania, it snows about 38 inches annually
versus 15 inches of snow in Kansas.
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Pennsylvania has a lower crime rate than Kansas with a crime index
of 17.62 vs. 24.07.
Comparing the pros of Kansas vs. Pennsylvania
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Pennsylvania compared to Kansas.
Pros of living in Kansas |
Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
Delicious barbecue |
Low cost of living |
Low cost housing |
Abundant fun and recreational activities |
Cheap living |
Beautiful landscapes |
Four season living |
Ample economic opportunity |
Ample economic opportunity |
Excellent education options |
Comparing the cons of living in Kansas vs. Pennsylvania
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Kansas for Pennsylvania.
Cons of living in Kansas |
Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
Extreme weather |
Harsh winter weather |
Dull landscape |
Bad driving conditions |
High taxes |
Nuclear power plants |
Lack of public transportation |
Unpredictable weather |
Remote small-town lifestyle |
High taxes on gasoline |
Other things to consider for your Kansas to Pennsylvania move
- Weather: Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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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.
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Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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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.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Pennsylvania does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Pennsylvania.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
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.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Pennsylvania
While you’re in Pennsylvania, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Hersheypark
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Fallingwater
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Visit Strasburg
- Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Presque Isle State Park
- Andy Warhol Museum
- Longwood Gardens
- Ohiopyle State Park
- Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History
- Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
- Eisenhower National Historic Site
- Reading Terminal Market
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Kansas to Pennsylvania?
Do movers transport your car from Kansas to Pennsylvania?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from Kansas to Pennsylvania
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania?
The main reasons people are moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania are the amazing upsides of living in Pennsylvania such as
low cost of living and abundant fun and recreational activities.
Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Pennsylvania?
It is generally cheaper to live in Kansas than in Pennsylvania.
Housing
is more affordable in Kansas,
with average rent about 11% less
and home prices 15% lower than in Pennsylvania.
However, taxes are lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 40% less than those paid by
Kansas residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Pennsylvania?
You should make approximately $48,400 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Pennsylvania.
The cost of living in Pennsylvania is approximately $3,005 per month for an individual and $2,804 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Pennsylvania you live
For example, larger cities like Erie and Allentown will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources