Albany, NY to Philadelphia, PA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Albany to Philadelphia typically costs $1,500–$4,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 233 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Albany to Philadelphia
Moving from Albany, NY to Philadelphia, PA typically costs $1,500–$4,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 233-mile move from Albany to Philadelphia, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $2,266 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $1,868 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $1,759 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Mar 03, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Mar 02, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 26, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 19, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 17, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 12, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 25, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 19, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 13, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Albany to Philadelphia
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $900, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $5,400.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Albany, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($300–$800) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Philadelphia, PA to Albany, NY guide.
Best Albany to Philadelphia movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Albany to Philadelphia
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Albany to Philadelphia, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best NY→PA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 148 New York moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Albany to Philadelphia
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Philadelphia runs about 41% higher for singles and 47% higher for families than Albany.
Singles spend around $2,541 in Philadelphia versus $1,801 in Albany; families pay $6,190 compared with $4,205.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Albany | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,426 | $1,791 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,900 | $3,116 |
| Average home value | $281,584 | $216,914 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,546 | $70,746 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,801 | $2,541 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,205 | $6,190 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 10.9% | 3.07% |
- Rent is estimated to be 17% higher in Philadelphia compared to Albany; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 23% less in Philadelphia than in Albany.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 6% higher in Philadelphia than in Albany, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Philadelphia, since the cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 41% higher than in Albany. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Philadelphia, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 47% greater than in Albany.
- In Philadelphia, the unemployment rate is approximately 49% higher than in Albany, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes show little difference between Philadelphia and Albany (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
- Income taxes are 72% less in Pennsylvania than in New York. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Albany and Philadelphia:
| Living Expense | Albany | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $203.15 | $269.29 |
| Cell phone plan | $57.53 | $61.40 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.71 | $4.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.93 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $79.50 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $31.25 | $48.67 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Albany than in Philadelphia, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Albany than in Philadelphia.
- Eggs cost more in Albany than in Philadelphia.
- Bread costs less in Albany than in Philadelphia.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Albany than in Philadelphia.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Albany than in Philadelphia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Albany than in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Albany vs. Philadelphia
| Albany | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,224 | 1,603,797 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 65 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 55 | 67 |
| Crime index | 10.0 | 66.09 |
| Safety index | 49.65 | 33.91 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Philadelphia's population is about 1516% greater than Albany.
- Philadelphia's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Albany's score of 8.
- Philadelphia is more walkable than Albany with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Albany's 65 out of 100.
- With a score of 67 out of 100, Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Albany, which has a score of 55 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than Albany with a score of 66.09 compared to Albany's 10.0. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Albany neighborhoods are safer than 10.0%.
- Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Albany with a score of 33.91 vs Albany's 49.65.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in Albany it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Albany to Philadelphia move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status 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: 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 to Philadelphia. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Philadelphia
Now that you've decided to make the move to Philly, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.
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
Once you're settled into your new home in Pennsylvania, it's time to get out and discover what Philadelphia has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Philadelphia, such as 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 — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)Philadelphia Union (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Albany to Philadelphia?
The best time to move from Albany to Philadelphia is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Albany.
When is the cheapest time to move from Albany to Philadelphia?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Albany to Philadelphia, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Albany to Philadelphia take?
Moving from Albany, NY to Philadelphia, PA covers 233 miles and usually takes one to two days. Need to move faster? Some Albany movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Albany?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 4 movers in Albany advertise piano moving expertise. 3 movers in Albany provide antique moving services. State totals show 115 piano movers and 82 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,294 and 1,462.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
