Things to know before moving from Maryland to Philadelphia, PA

Cost of living: Maryland vs Philadelphia, PA

Maryland Philadelphia
Average rent cost $1,598 $1,695
Average home value $418,438 $216,914
Average income (per capita) $98,461 $70,746
Unemployment rate 3% 11%
State income tax 6% 3%
  • Rent is about 6% more expensive in Philadelphia than in Maryland.
  • Home prices are about 48% lower in Philadelphia than in Maryland.
  • The average income is about 28% lower in Philadelphia than in Maryland.
  • Philadelphia has a higher unemployment rate than Maryland by about 253%.
  • Income taxes are 47% lower in Philadelphia than in Maryland.

How life is different in Philadelphia from Maryland

Philadelphia Maryland
Population 1,603,797 6,180,253
Political leaning Democratic 81-18 Democratic 63-34.4
Summer high 87ºF 87ºF
Winter low 26ºF 25ºF
Annual rain 47" 44"
Annual snow 13" 19"
Crime index 66.09 20.34
  • The population of Philadelphia is approximately 74% lower than the population of Maryland.
  • In the last presidential election, Philadelphia voted Democratic and Maryland voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Philadelphia is 87ºF and in Maryland, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Philadelphia reaches the temperature of 26ºF and Maryland gets down to 25ºF.
  • You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in Philadelphia vs 44 inches of rainfall in Maryland.
  • In Philadelphia, it snows about 13 inches annually vs 19 inches of snow in Maryland.
  • Philadelphia has a higher crime rate than Maryland with a crime index of 66.09 vs 20.34.

Things 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 Philadelphiatoggle

  • 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 Philadelphiatoggle

  • 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 Philadelphiatoggle

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

Universities in Philadelphiatoggle

  • 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.

Other considerations when 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 forwarded 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.

FAQ

How long does a move from Maryland to Philadelphia take?

The time frame for a move from Maryland to Philadelphia, PA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Maryland, the longer the drive time to Philadelphia will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Philadelphia from Maryland can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Maryland to Philadelphia?

Because of the 119-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Maryland to Philadelphia as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Philadelphia, PA?

With the summer highs of 87ºF and the winter lows of 26ºF, most people move to Philadelphia from Maryland during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Philadelphia during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources