($1,428) Movers From Columbus, OH to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Columbus to Philadelphia

Moving from Columbus to Philadelphia means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Columbus than in Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Columbus compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 18% higher than in Columbus, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Philadelphia.
  Home prices in Philadelphia are 9.2% lower than in Columbus.
• Income in Philadelphia is 8.7% higher than in Columbus, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
• The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 8.7% lower than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 14.6% lower than in Columbus.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 85.96% higher than in Columbus.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 6.67% higher than in Columbus.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 12.29% lower than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,738.15 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 77% greater than Columbus, 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 Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbus. 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 Columbus. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Columbus. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus is rated as 48 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Columbus, 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 49.65 in Columbus. 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 Columbus, whose index is Columbus's 50.35. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Pennsylvania, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• 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 toPhiladelphia Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

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.

Helpful moving resources