Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia, PA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Cleveland to Philadelphia typically costs $2,100–$5,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 431 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Cleveland to Philadelphia
Moving from Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia, PA typically costs $2,100–$5,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 431-mile move from Cleveland to Philadelphia, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 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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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,490 for a 3 bedroom using a moving container.
- AB Moving recently quoted $3,616 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,039 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
Factors that impact moving costs from Cleveland to Philadelphia
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,400, but larger homes can run up to $8,500.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Cleveland.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($400–$1,200) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH guide.
Best Cleveland to Philadelphia movers by type
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Best professional movers from Cleveland to Philadelphia
For a stress-free interstate move from Cleveland to Philadelphia, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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
How we chose the best OH→PA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 100 Ohio 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 Cleveland to Philadelphia
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Philadelphia runs about 2% higher for singles and -8% higher for families than Cleveland.
Singles spend around $2,541 in Philadelphia versus $2,490 in Cleveland; families pay $6,190 compared with $6,729.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Cleveland | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,338 | $1,791 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,733 | $3,116 |
| Average home value | $108,509 | $216,914 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,965 | $70,746 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,490 | $2,541 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,729 | $6,190 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 3.07% |
- As you consider relocating to Philadelphia, note that rent can be roughly 31% more expensive than it is in Cleveland; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 100% higher in Philadelphia than in Cleveland.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 9% higher in Philadelphia compared to Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, you shouldn't see much difference.
- Moving to Philadelphia could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 8% less than in Cleveland.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 56% higher compared to Cleveland, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are similar in Philadelphia and Cleveland (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Income taxes are 12% lower in Pennsylvania compared to Ohio. 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 Cleveland with Philadelphia:
| Living Expense | Cleveland | Philadelphia |
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| Basic utilities | $310.82 | $269.29 |
| Cell phone plan | $48.93 | $61.40 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.11 | $4.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.06 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $55.00 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $35.00 | $48.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
- Eggs are less expensive in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
- Bread costs less in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Cleveland than in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Cleveland vs. Philadelphia
| Cleveland | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 372,624 | 1,603,797 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 57 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 52 | 67 |
| Crime index | 63.41 | 66.09 |
| Safety index | 36.59 | 33.91 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Philadelphia's population is about 330% greater than Cleveland.
- Philadelphia's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Cleveland's score of 8.
- Philadelphia is more walkable than Cleveland with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Cleveland's 57 out of 100.
- With a score of 67 out of 100, Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Cleveland, which has a score of 52 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Philadelphia and Cleveland have a similar crime rate with scores of 66.09 and 63.41, respectively.
- Philadelphia is considered to be less safe than Cleveland with a score of 33.91 vs Cleveland's 36.59.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is Good, and in Cleveland it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Cleveland 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.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Philadelphia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Cleveland to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Cleveland are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Cleveland to Philadelphia?
Because spring and fall moves from Cleveland 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 Cleveland to Philadelphia take?
A move of 431 miles from Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia, PA generally takes one to four days. Movers in Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. In Cleveland, 2 movers provide AAA member discounts. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 1 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 Cleveland offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 17 movers in Cleveland have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 11 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across OH, there are 59 piano movers and 37 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.