Key factors that impact the cost of your St. Paul to Philadelphia move
What to know before moving from St. Paul to Philadelphia
Moving from St. Paul 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 St. Paul than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how St. Paul compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:
St. Paul | Philadelphia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,350 | $1,695 |
Average home value | $278,221 | $216,914 |
Average income (per capita) | $63,483 | $70,746 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,633 | $2,541 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,290 | $6,190 |
Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 10.6% |
Sales tax | 9.88% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 9.85% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 26% higher than in St. Paul, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
Home prices in Philadelphia are 22.0% lower than in St. Paul. - Income in Philadelphia is 11.4% higher than in St. Paul, so you could earn more 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 30.1% lower than in St. Paul. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Philadelphia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 44.3% higher than in St. Paul.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 116.33% higher than in St. Paul.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the cityโs sales taxes in Philadelphia are 19.03% lower than in St. Paul.
- One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 68.83% lower than in St. Paul.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,098.27 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in St. Paul.
How life is different in St. Paul vs. Philadelphia
Philadelphia | St. Paul | |
---|---|---|
Population | 1,603,797 | 303,176 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 8 |
Walkability score | 75 | 60 |
Bike friendliness score | 67 | 64 |
Crime Index | 66.09 | 50.86 |
Safety Index | 33.91 | 49.14 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Philadelphia is about 429% greater than St. Paul, 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 St. Paul, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 8 in St. Paul. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Philadelphia means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in St. Paul. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than St. Paul, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 60 out of 100 in St. Paul. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- Philadelphia and St. Paul are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 67 and 64 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in St. Paul, 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 50.86 in St. Paul. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than St. Paul, whose index is St. Paul's 49.14. 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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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 PUCโs website is no longer functioning. So if youโre moving within Pennsylvania, youโll 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\โt require moving permits, but it\โs 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. Youโll 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.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bella Vista
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
Things to do in Philadelphia
Now that you've made the move to Pennsylvania, itโs the perfect time to explore Philadelphia. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Philadelphia, such as the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park โ along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back 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 St. Paul to Philadelphia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from St. Paul to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in St. Paul are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from St. Paul to Philadelphia?
With many people choosing to move from St. Paul 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 St. Paul to Philadelphia take?
Moving from St. Paul, MN to Philadelphia, PA covers 1,159 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some St. Paul movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.