Things to know before moving from Pennsylvania to Boise, ID

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Boise, ID

Pennsylvania Boise
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,495
Average home value $268,824 $481,661
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $76,468
Unemployment rate 3% 4%
State income tax 3% 6%
  • Rent is about 35% more expensive in Boise than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 79% higher in Boise than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 5% higher in Boise than in Pennsylvania.
  • Boise has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 6%.
  • Income taxes are 89% higher in Boise than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Boise from Pennsylvania

Boise Pennsylvania
Population 235,684 12,961,683
Political leaning Republican 49.8-48.3 Republican 51-49
Summer high 92ºF 83ºF
Winter low 24ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 13" 44"
Annual snow 18" 38"
Crime index 34.99 17.62
  • The population of Boise is approximately 98% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Boise voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Boise is 92ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Boise reaches the temperature of 24ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 13 inches of annual rainfall in Boise vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Boise, it snows about 18 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Boise has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 34.99 vs 17.62.

Things to do in Boise

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Boise.

Museums in Boisetoggle

  • Idaho State Museum
  • Boise Art Glass
  • Basque Museum & Cultural Center
  • Discovery Center of Idaho
  • Boise Art Museum
  • Idaho Military History Museum
  • James Castle House
  • Museum of Mining & Geology
  • Yanke Motor Museum
  • Idaho Black History Museum

Parks in Boisetoggle

  • Camel's Back Park
  • Kathryn Albertson Park
  • Julia Davis Park
  • Barber Park
  • Ann Morrison Park
  • Esther Simplot Park
  • Municipal Park
  • Veterans Memorial Park
  • Marianne Williams Park
  • Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve

Sports Teams in Boisetoggle

  • Boise Hawks (Pioneer League)
  • Idaho Steelheads (ECHL)

Universities in Boisetoggle

  • Boise State University

Other considerations when moving to Boise, ID

  • Weather: Boise experiences hot and dry summers and winters are moderately 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.
  • 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.
  • Moving permits: Idaho does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Idaho. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Pennsylvania to Boise take?

The time frame for a move from Pennsylvania to Boise, ID, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Pennsylvania, the longer the drive time to Boise will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Boise from Pennsylvania can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Pennsylvania to Boise?

Because of the 2285-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Boise as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Boise, ID?

With the summer highs of 92ºF and the winter lows of 24ºF, most people move to Boise from Pennsylvania during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Boise during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources