Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best NJ→PA movers

Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 86 New Jersey moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.

Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Newark to Philadelphia

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Philadelphia runs about -1% higher for singles and 10% higher for families than Newark.

Singles spend around $2,541 in Philadelphia versus $2,575 in Newark; families pay $6,190 compared with $5,617.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Newark	Philadelphia
Average 1 BR rent	$2,333	$1,791
Average 3 BR rent	$3,300	$3,116
Average home value	$475,797	$216,914
Average income (per capita)	$41,335	$70,746
Cost of living (single)	$2,575	$2,541
Cost of living (family of four)	$5,617	$6,190
Unemployment rate	13.0%	10.6%
Sales tax	6.63%	8.0%
State income tax	10.7%	3.07%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 26% lower in Philadelphia than in Newark, giving you more disposable income monthly.
Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 54% lower in Philadelphia than in Newark.
Great news! You'll find the average income is about 71% higher in Philadelphia compared to Newark, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
Since the cost of living for a single person is within 5% of the same in both Philadelphia and Newark, you shouldn't see much difference.
If your journey leads to Philadelphia, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 10% more than it is in Newark.
Philadelphia experiences an unemployment rate that is about 18% lower than that of Newark. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
Sales taxes are 21% higher in Philadelphia than in Newark. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
Income taxes are 71% lower in Pennsylvania compared to New Jersey. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.

The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Newark with Philadelphia:

Living Expense	Newark	Philadelphia
Basic utilities	$211.42	$269.29
Cell phone plan	$57.98	$61.40
Dozen eggs	$5.74	$4.30
Loaf of bread	$4.40	$4.15
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$19.00	$20.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$79.50	$90.00
Gym membership	$30.00	$48.67

Basic utilities cost less in Newark than in Philadelphia, helping trim your monthly bills.
Cell phone plans are cheaper in Newark than in Philadelphia.
Eggs cost more in Newark than in Philadelphia.
Bread is more expensive in Newark than in Philadelphia.
A quick meal is cheaper in Newark than in Philadelphia.
A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Newark than in Philadelphia.
Gym memberships are more affordable in Newark than in Philadelphia.

How life is different in Newark vs. Philadelphia

	Newark	Philadelphia
Population	304,960	1,603,797
Transportation score	9	9
Walkability score	76	75
Bike friendliness score	51	67
Crime index	75.24	66.09
Safety index	24.76	33.91
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Philadelphia's population is about 426% greater than Newark.
Philadelphia's public transportation score is within about 5% of Newark, making them very similar.
Philadelphia and Newark are similarly walkable.
With a score of 67 out of 100, Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Newark, which has a score of 51 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
Philadelphia's crime rate is lower than Newark with a score of 66.09 compared to Newark's 75.24. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Newark neighborhoods are safer than 75.24%.
Philadelphia is considered to be safer than Newark with a safety index of 33.91 vs Newark's 24.76.
Air quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in Newark it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Newark to Philadelphia move

HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
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 verify a Pennsylvania moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: While Pennsylvania doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Philadelphia smoothly. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Philadelphia

Now that you've 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

Bella Vista
Bustleton
Chestnut Hill
Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
Foxchase
Roxborough

Things to do in Philadelphia

After getting comfortable in your new Pennsylvania home, it's time to see what Philadelphia is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Philadelphia offers cultural landmarks like the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, and Museum of the American Revolution.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)Philadelphia Union (MLS) game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Newark to Philadelphia?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Newark to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Newark are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Newark to Philadelphia?

Because spring and fall moves from Newark to Philadelphia are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Newark to Philadelphia take?

A move of 84 miles from Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA generally takes one to two days. Movers in Newark sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Philadelphia is a good fallback if you need extra time.

Which discounts can you find from movers in Newark?

Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In Newark, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts. 8 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 9 extend savings to senior citizens.

Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.

Which movers in Newark offer piano or antique moving?

Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 138 movers in Newark have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 111 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across NJ, there are 77 piano movers and 60 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.

Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.