Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to ID
There are many factors that influence
Pennsylvania moving costs.
The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Idaho will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
-
Time of year: The peak moving season
in Pennsylvania is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from PA to ID
If you’re moving to Idaho from Pennsylvania, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. Idaho
|
Pennsylvania |
Idaho |
| Average rent cost |
$1,110 |
$1,061 |
| Average home cost |
$268,824 |
$451,520 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$73,170 |
$70,214 |
| Cost of Living Index |
99 |
106 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.4% |
3.7% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.34% |
6.03% |
| State Income Tax |
3.07% |
5.8% |
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Rent is about 4% less expensive in Idaho than in Pennsylvania.
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Home prices are about 68% higher in Idaho than in Pennsylvania.
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The average income is about 4% lower in Idaho than in Pennsylvania.
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Cost of living is 7% lower in Idaho than in Pennsylvania.
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Idaho has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 9%.
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Sales taxes are 5% lower in Idaho than in Pennsylvania.
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Income taxes are 89% higher in Idaho than in Pennsylvania.
How life is different in Idaho vs. Pennsylvania
|
Idaho |
Pennsylvania |
| Population |
1,964,726 |
12,961,683 |
| Political leaning |
Republican 70-30 |
Republican 51-49 |
| Summer high |
85ºF |
83ºF |
| Winter low |
17ºF |
19ºF |
| Annual rain |
18" |
44" |
| Annual snow |
47" |
38" |
| Crime index |
11.68 |
17.62 |
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The population of Idaho is approximately 85% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
-
In the last presidential election, Idaho voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Idaho is 85ºF
and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Idaho reaches the temperature of 17ºF
and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
-
You can expect about 18 inches of annual rainfall in Idaho versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
-
In Idaho, it snows about 47 inches annually
versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
-
Idaho has a lower crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index
of 11.68 vs. 17.62.
Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Idaho
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Idaho compared to Pennsylvania.
| Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
Pros of living in Idaho |
| Low cost of living |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant fun and recreational activities |
Low cost of living |
| Beautiful landscapes |
High quality of life |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Beautiful landscapes |
| Excellent education options |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Idaho
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Idaho.
| Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
Cons of living in Idaho |
| Harsh winter weather |
Low diversity |
| Bad driving conditions |
Harsh winters |
| Nuclear power plants |
Political dominance |
| Unpredictable weather |
Isolation |
| High taxes on gasoline |
Competitive housing |
Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania to Idaho move
- Weather: The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
-
HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
-
Elevator reservation:
One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator
and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
-
Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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State licensing:
In Idaho, in-state movers are regulated by and must register with the Idaho Transportation Department.
In cases of unresolvable disputes with local movers, they may help. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
-
State regulator:
You can verify a Idaho moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Idaho does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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Change of address:
We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Idaho.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
Choose cost-free Released Value Protection for minimal coverage, provided by movers at no extra charge. With liability capped at 60 cents per pound per article, consider alternative coverage options from your selected moving company or explore third-party insurance for full value protection.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Idaho
While you’re in Idaho, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
- Sun Valley
- Shoshone Falls
- Yellowstone National Park
- Snake River Adventures
- Coeur d'Alene
- Idaho Falls
- Bruneau Dunes State Park
- Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
- Museum of Idaho
- Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site
- Lava Hot Springs
- Silverwood Theme Park
- Boise River Greenbelt
- Idaho Botanical Garden
- City of Rocks National Reserve
- Yellowstone Bear World
- Zoo Boise
- Idaho Potato Museum & Potato Station Café
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Pennsylvania to Idaho?
Do movers transport your car from Pennsylvania to Idaho?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from Pennsylvania to Idaho
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho?
The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho are the amazing upsides of living in Idaho such as
ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.
Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania or Idaho?
It is generally cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than in Idaho.
Housing
is much more affordable in Pennsylvania,
with average rent about 5% less
and home prices 41% lower than in Idaho.
Taxes are also lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 40% less than those paid by
Idaho residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Idaho?
You should make approximately $87,577 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Idaho.
The cost of living in Idaho is approximately $4,038 per month for an individual and $7,555 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Idaho you live
For example, larger cities like Boise and Meridian will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Pennsylvania moving services
Popular Pennsylvania routes
Best overall value
