Key factors that impact the cost of your Charlotte to Philadelphia move
What to know before moving from Charlotte to Philadelphia
Moving from Charlotte 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 Charlotte than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charlotte compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Charlotte | Philadelphia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,790 | $1,695 |
Average home value | $391,658 | $216,914 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,814 | $70,746 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,158 | $2,541 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,325 | $6,190 |
Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 10.6% |
Sales tax | 7.25% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 4.5% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 5% lower than in Charlotte, which means youโll have more 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 44.6% lower than in Charlotte. - Income in Philadelphia is 9.2% higher than in Charlotte, 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 19.5% lower than in Charlotte. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 25.6% lower than in Charlotte.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 221.21% higher than in Charlotte.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the cityโs sales taxes in Philadelphia are 10.34% higher than in Charlotte.
- One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 31.78% lower than in Charlotte.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,413.87 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charlotte.
How life is different in Charlotte vs. Philadelphia
Philadelphia | Charlotte | |
---|---|---|
Population | 1,603,797 | 874,579 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 5 |
Walkability score | 75 | 26 |
Bike friendliness score | 67 | 31 |
Crime Index | 66.09 | 46.52 |
Safety Index | 33.91 | 53.48 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- The population of Philadelphia is about 83% greater than Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 5 in Charlotte. 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 Charlotte. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Charlotte, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Charlotte. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Philadelphia is considered more bike-friendly than Charlotte in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Charlotte is rated as 31 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Charlotte, 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 46.52 in Charlotte. 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 Charlotte, whose index is Charlotte's 53.48. 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.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Philadelphia has better air quality than in Charlotte. Philadelphia has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Charlotte. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Charlotte 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in Pennsylvania, though it\โs smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toPhiladelphia Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Philadelphia
Now that youโve chosen "Philly" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
Things to do in Philadelphia
After settling into your new Pennsylvania home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Philadelphia has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Philadelphia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on 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 Charlotte to Philadelphia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Charlotte to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Charlotte are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charlotte to Philadelphia?
With many people choosing to move from Charlotte 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 Charlotte to Philadelphia take?
Moving from Charlotte, NC to Philadelphia, PA covers 541 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Charlotte movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.