Best overall value
Local moving companies in Albany
- Mabey's Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Clark Moving & Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Five College Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Pioneer Moving Group: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- MG Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Inaccurate estimates
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 623
Years in Business: 68
DOT #: 125550
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Highly recommended
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
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
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unexpected charges
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 Philadelphia
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.
