Factors affecting the cost of moving from MO to PA
There are many factors that influence
Missouri moving costs.
The cost to move from Missouri to Pennsylvania will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
-
Time of year: The peak moving season
in Missouri is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
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 MO to PA
If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from Missouri, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Missouri vs. Pennsylvania
|
Missouri |
Pennsylvania |
Average rent cost |
$957 |
$1,110 |
Average home cost |
$248,327 |
$268,824 |
Average income (per capita) |
$65,920 |
$73,170 |
Cost of Living Index |
88 |
99 |
Unemployment rate |
3.8% |
3.4% |
Average Sales Tax |
4.03% |
6.34% |
State Income Tax |
4.8% |
3.07% |
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Rent is about 16% more expensive in Pennsylvania than in Missouri.
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Home prices are about 8% higher in Pennsylvania than in Missouri.
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The average income is about 11% higher in Pennsylvania than in Missouri.
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Cost of living is 13% lower in Pennsylvania than in Missouri.
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Pennsylvania has a lower unemployment rate than Missouri by about 11%.
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Sales taxes are 57% higher in Pennsylvania than in Missouri.
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Income taxes are 36% lower in Pennsylvania than in Missouri.
How life is different in Pennsylvania vs. Missouri
|
Pennsylvania |
Missouri |
Population |
12,961,683 |
6,196,156 |
Political leaning |
Republican 51-49 |
Republican 59-41 |
Summer high |
83ºF |
88ºF |
Winter low |
19ºF |
20ºF |
Annual rain |
44" |
43" |
Annual snow |
38" |
13" |
Crime index |
17.62 |
28.28 |
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The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 109% greater than the population of Missouri.
-
In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Republican and Missouri voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF
and in Missouri, it’s 88ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF
and Missouri gets down to 20ºF.
-
You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus 43 inches of rainfall in Missouri.
-
In Pennsylvania, it snows about 38 inches annually
versus 13 inches of snow in Missouri.
-
Pennsylvania has a lower crime rate than Missouri with a crime index
of 17.62 vs. 28.28.
Comparing the pros of Missouri 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 Missouri.
Pros of living in Missouri |
Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
Low cost of living |
Low cost of living |
Ample economic opportunity |
Abundant fun and recreational activities |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Beautiful landscapes |
Delicious barbecue |
Ample economic opportunity |
Beautiful outdoors |
Excellent education options |
Comparing the cons of living in Missouri 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 Missouri for Pennsylvania.
Cons of living in Missouri |
Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
Severe weather |
Harsh winter weather |
High crime rate |
Bad driving conditions |
Low quality of life |
Nuclear power plants |
Low wages |
Unpredictable weather |
Poor healthcare |
High taxes on gasoline |
Other things to consider for your Missouri 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.
-
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.
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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 Missouri to Pennsylvania?
Do movers transport your car from Missouri 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 Missouri to Pennsylvania
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Missouri to Pennsylvania?
The main reasons people are moving from Missouri 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 Missouri or Pennsylvania?
It is generally cheaper to live in Missouri than in Pennsylvania.
Housing
is more affordable in Missouri,
with average rent about 14% less
and home prices 8% lower than in Pennsylvania.
However, taxes are lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 30% less than those paid by
Missouri 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