Local moving companies in Albany

  1. Mabey's Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  2. Clark Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
  3. Five College Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars
  4. Pioneer Moving Group: 4.52 out of 5 stars
  5. MG Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
https://www.facebook.com/mabeys/, https://twitter.com/mabeysmoving?lang=en
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Inaccurate estimates
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Mabey's Moving & Storage stands out with an impressive 92.5% positive feedback from 254 reviews, setting a high bar for moving companies. Customers consistently describe the staff as professional, respectful, and attentive, praising the team's careful handling of belongings and efficient work ethic. Many highlight smooth communication, quick processes from booking to move day, and successful management of complex or long-distance moves. Most clients recommend Mabey's without hesitation, citing reliable estimates and stress-free experiences as major strengths. Negative input, making up about 7% of feedback, points to issues like damaged items, discrepancies in final costs versus estimates, and communication shortfalls in rare cases. Complaints sometimes reference insurance limitations or mishandling claims. A single neutral review notes both prompt reimbursements and delays during delivery. Compared to typical industry standards, Mabey’s earns stronger praise for care, politeness, and problem resolution, though accurate cost estimation remains an area for improvement. The company's reputation for professionalism and reliability is consistently reinforced by customer input.
Get a Quote (518) 283-0017

Company Info

State license #: 623

Years in Business: 68

DOT #: 125550


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage
https://www.facebook.com/clarkmovingandstorage/, https://twitter.com/clarkmovinginc?lang=en
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Efficient service
  • Highly recommended
  • Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Unexpected charges
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Clark Moving & Storage stands out for delivering reliable results and excellent service, supported by feedback from 81 reviews with over 81% positive ratings. Customers consistently praise their professional and polite staff, careful handling, efficiency, and quick moving process. Many highly recommend the company for making stressful moves feel smooth and straightforward. Numerous reviewers note clear communication, organized packing, and affordable pricing compared to other moving companies. Some even highlight the movers’ thorough preparation and respect for customers’ belongings. On the downside, less than one in five reviewers cite problems such as damaged items, unexpected charges, or lack of communication. Negative input describes instances where items were broken or missing, or costs changed without warning. By comparison, Clark Moving & Storage regularly delivers a higher level of care and professionalism than most moving companies in the region, though a few dissatisfied customers experienced avoidable setbacks. Clark is a strong option for quality moving services, with overwhelmingly positive feedback and only minor recurring problems.
Get a Quote (518) 370-4100

Company Info

State license #: 37553

Years in Business: 31

DOT #: 125563

Alternate Names: Clark Moving and Storage, Clark Moving and Storage of Albany


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/FiveCollegeMovers/, https://twitter.com/5CollegeMovers
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Lack of communication
  • Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
Moving just got easier for customers choosing Five College Movers. Out of 215 feedback analyzed, nearly 97% praised fast, professional movers who communicate clearly, handle belongings with care, and keep the process smooth from booking through delivery. Clients highlight courteous staff and quick, efficient moving as standout strengths. In contrast, a few customers cited damaged or lost items, poor follow-up on claims, and unexpected charges—issues that appear less common here than with many national movers. Transparency, quality of service, and reliability set this company apart based on customer input. Negative experiences are rare but sometimes involve unresolved damage and communication lapses.
Get a Quote (413) 687-1738

Company Info

State license #: 1947212

Years in Business: 16

DOT #: 1947212


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required

Factors influencing moving costs from Albany to Philadelphiatoggle

The cost of Albany movers will depend on:

  • Move size: How much you're moving directly affects the cost. A one-bedroom move from Albany to Philadelphia might cost as little as $886, while a four-bedroom home could reach up to $5,276.
  • Time of year: Summer is considered peak moving season in Albany, which often leads to higher prices from moving companies.
  • DIY vs. full-service: Renting a truck or using a container can be more affordable, with truck rentals ranging from $333 to $764 Just keep in mind these options involve more hands-on work than hiring professionals.

What to know before moving from Albany to Philadelphia

Moving from Albany to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Albany, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Albany Philadelphia
Average rent cost $1,450 $1,695
Average home value $281,584 $216,914
Average income (per capita) $66,546 $70,746
Cost of living (single person) $1,801 $2,541
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,205 $6,190
Unemployment rate 7.1% 10.6%
Sales tax 8.0% 8.0%
State income tax 10.9% 3.07%
  • You may want to budget more for rent in Philadelphia, since prices are typically 17% higher than in Albany.
  • In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
    Home prices in Philadelphia are 23.0% lower than in Albany.
  • You’re likely to make a higher income living in Philadelphia, where incomes are, on average, 6.3% higher than in Albany. Major employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Philadelphia, since the cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 41.1% higher than in Albany. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If you're moving your family to Philadelphia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 47.2% higher than in Albany.
  • The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 49.30% higher than in Albany.
  • Sales taxes are the same in Philadelphia and Albany.
  • One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 71.83% lower than in Albany.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,232.65 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Albany.

How life is different in Albany vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia Albany
Population 1,603,797 99,224
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 8
Walkability score 75 65
Bike friendliness score 67 55
Crime Index 66.09 10.0
Safety Index 33.91 49.65
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Philadelphia is about 1,516% greater than Albany, 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 Albany, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 8 in Albany. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Philadelphia means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Albany. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Albany, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 65 out of 100 in Albany. A city's 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 Albany 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 Albany is rated as 55 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Albany, 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 10.0 in Albany. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than Albany, whose index is 49.65. 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 Albany 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 Albany 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: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
  • 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Pennsylvania, visit 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: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Philadelphia without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Philadelphia

With your sights set on Philly, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider 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)
  • 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: Philadelphia features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.

FAQ

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

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Albany to Philadelphia. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak 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?

Covering 232 miles, the move from Albany, NY to Philadelphia, PA typically takes one to two days. Some Albany movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Philadelphia can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources