Best overall value
Local moving companies in Philadelphia
- Anchor Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Transtar Moving Systems: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 125550
Years in Business: 51
DOT #: 125550
Alternate Names: Anchor Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Helpful movers
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Misplaced or lost items
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 39PC00058806
Years in Business: 63
DOT #: 939629
Alternate Names: A Action Family Moving Company, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 39PM00121400
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons of New Jersey LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Inexperienced movers
Company Info
State license #: 8922046
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: TMT MISSION 1 LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Good communication
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Key factors that impact the cost of your Philadelphia to Lancaster move
What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Lancaster
Moving from Philadelphia to Lancaster means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Philadelphia than in Lancaster, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Philadelphia compares to Lancaster so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Philadelphia | Lancaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $2,600 |
| Average home value | $216,914 | $473,053 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,746 | $74,723 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,541 | $2,540 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,190 | $5,562 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 15.6% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 3.07% | 13.3% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Lancaster, since prices are typically 53% higher than in Philadelphia.
- The home prices in Lancaster are 118.1% higher than in Philadelphia, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Lancaster, where incomes are, on average, 5.6% higher than in Philadelphia. Major employers in Lancaster include Antelope Valley Hospital, Antelope Valley Union High School District, and Lancaster School District.
- The cost of living for a single person is the same in Lancaster and Philadelphia.
- A move to Lancaster can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 10.1% less than what it costs in Philadelphia.
- The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 47.17% higher than in Philadelphia.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Lancaster, since its sales taxes are 28.13% higher than what you are paying in Philadelphia.
- State income taxes in Lancaster are 333.22% higher than in Philadelphia.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,998.82 in Lancaster to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Lancaster
| Lancaster | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 173,516 | 1,603,797 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 0 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 29 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 40 | 67 |
| Crime Index | 45.5 | 66.09 |
| Safety Index | 54.5 | 33.91 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Lancaster might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 89% less than Philadelphia.
- Getting around Lancaster without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. Lancaster has a public transportation score of 0 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Lancaster neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Philadelphia. Based on its score of 29 out of 100, Lancaster isn't as walkable as Philadelphia, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Lancaster, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, Lancaster earned a 40. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Lancaster has a lower crime rate than Philadelphia based on scores of 45.5 and Philadelphia's 66.09, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Lancaster than in Philadelphia, based on Lancaster's safety index of 54.5 versus 33.91 for Philadelphia. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Lancaster and Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia vs. Lancaster move
- Weather: If you're looking to move to Lancaster, consider doing this on the months of May, October and April. Summers are hot and nearly rainless while winter could be mildly cold.
- 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in California, 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 to Lancaster Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Lancaster
Ready to relocate to ? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Lancaster.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Lancaster
- Central Lancaster
- East Lancaster
- College Terrace
- Skytower Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Quartz Hill
- West Lancaster
- Rancho Vista
- Brentwood
- El Dorado
Things to do in Lancaster
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Lancaster is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Lancaster features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Lancaster Museum of Art & History, Western Hotel Museum, and Boyle Heights History Studios & Tours.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, Apollo Community Regional Park, Saddleback Butte State Park, and Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State 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 game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Lancaster?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Philadelphia to Lancaster You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Philadelphia.
When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to Lancaster?
Because spring and fall moves from Philadelphia to Lancaster 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 Philadelphia to Lancaster take?
The 2,692-mile journey from Philadelphia, PA to Lancaster, CA, typically takes seven to 21 days. Some movers in Philadelphia offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Lancaster.
