($1,534) Movers From Minneapolis, MN to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Minneapolis to Philadelphia

Moving from Minneapolis to Philadelphia means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Minneapolis than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 14% higher than in Minneapolis, 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 30.6% lower than in Minneapolis.
• Income is the same in Philadelphia and Minneapolis. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
• The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 34.8% lower than in Minneapolis. 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 31.4% higher than in Minneapolis.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 135.56% higher than in Minneapolis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 11.41% lower than in Minneapolis.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 68.83% lower than in Minneapolis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,954.62 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Minneapolis.

How life is different in Minneapolis vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 277% greater than Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 8 in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Minneapolis, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 71 out of 100 in Minneapolis. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Philadelphia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Minneapolis. While Minneapolis has a bike-friendliness score of 83 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 Minneapolis, 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 56.06 in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis, whose index is Minneapolis's 43.94. 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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 check the status of a Pennsylvania moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Pennsylvania doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Philadelphia. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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

Ready to relocate to "Philly"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources