Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to NY
There are many factors that influence
Pennsylvania moving costs.
The cost to move from Pennsylvania to New York 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 NY
If you’re moving to New York from Pennsylvania, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. New York
|
Pennsylvania |
New York |
| Average rent cost |
$1,110 |
$1,507 |
| Average home cost |
$268,824 |
$482,742 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$73,170 |
$81,386 |
| Cost of Living Index |
99 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.4% |
4.4% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.34% |
8.52% |
| State Income Tax |
3.07% |
10.9% |
-
Rent is about 36% more expensive in New York than in Pennsylvania.
-
Home prices are about 80% higher in New York than in Pennsylvania.
-
The average income is about 11% higher in New York than in Pennsylvania.
-
Cost of living is 1% lower in New York than in Pennsylvania.
-
New York has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 29%.
-
Sales taxes are 34% higher in New York than in Pennsylvania.
-
Income taxes are 255% higher in New York than in Pennsylvania.
How life is different in New York vs. Pennsylvania
|
New York |
Pennsylvania |
| Population |
19,571,216 |
12,961,683 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 60-40 |
Republican 51-49 |
| Summer high |
81ºF |
83ºF |
| Winter low |
16ºF |
19ºF |
| Annual rain |
44" |
44" |
| Annual snow |
62" |
38" |
| Crime index |
21.51 |
17.62 |
-
The population of New York is approximately 51% greater than the population of Pennsylvania.
-
In the last presidential election, New York voted Democratic and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in New York is 81ºF
and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, New York reaches the temperature of 16ºF
and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
-
You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in New York versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
-
In New York, it snows about 62 inches annually
versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
-
New York has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index
of 21.51 vs. 17.62.
Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. New York
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New York compared to Pennsylvania.
| Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
Pros of living in New York |
| Low cost of living |
Natural beauty |
| Abundant fun and recreational activities |
Arts |
| Beautiful landscapes |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities |
| Excellent education options |
Distinct seasons |
Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. New York
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 New York.
| Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
Cons of living in New York |
| Harsh winter weather |
High tax burden |
| Bad driving conditions |
Rough winter weather |
| Nuclear power plants |
High cost of living |
| Unpredictable weather |
Poor quality healthcare |
| High taxes on gasoline |
Populous |
Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania to New York move
- Weather: The climate of New York state is generally has warm to hot summers and cold winters. In the farther southeastern portion of the state (New York City and Long Island area) hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February in much of New York state, but several degrees above freezing along the Atlantic coastline, including New York City.
-
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:
New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
-
State regulator:
You can verify a New York moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
-
Moving permits:
New York 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New York.
Get started here.
-
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 Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
-
Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in New York
While you’re in New York, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Times Square
- Statue of Liberty
- Niagara Falls
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park
- Hudson Valley
- Letchworth State Park
- Adirondack Mountains
- Thousand Islands
- Finger Lakes
- Watkins Glen State Park
- Lake Placid
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Coney Island
- The Bronx Zoo
- Ausable Chasm
- Corning Museum of Glass
- Lake George
- Darwin D. Martin House Complex
- Cooperstown
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Pennsylvania to New York?
Do movers transport your car from Pennsylvania to New York?
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 New York
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Pennsylvania to New York?
The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania to New York are the amazing upsides of living in New York such as
natural beauty and arts.
Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania or New York?
It is generally cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than in New York.
While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing
is much more affordable in Pennsylvania,
with average rent about 26% less
and home prices 44% lower than in New York.
Taxes are also lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 70% less than those paid by
New York residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New York?
You should make approximately $39,029 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New York.
The cost of living in New York is approximately $5,700 per month for an individual and $13,509 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New York you live
For example, larger cities like New York City and Brooklyn will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Pennsylvania moving services
Popular Pennsylvania routes
Best overall value
