Moving from Philadelphia to New York City (Movers from $598)

Quick answer: A move from Philadelphia to New York City costs $127 to $3,620 and takes 1-2 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 97-mile move yourself.

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Philadelphia will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from New York City to Philadelphia guide.

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  • Best overall value
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  • Veteran owned

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  • 20 yrs experience
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
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How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to New York City?

Philadelphia movers charge $130 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $598 - $2,626 $521 - $1,272 $122 - $179
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,219 - $3,620 $991 - $1,877 $127 - $217
4+ bedrooms $1,838 - $4,497 $1,252 - $2,318 $151 - $236
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 97 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Philadelphia to New York City

The cost of Philadelphia movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Philadelphia to New York City can be as low as $598 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $4,233.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Philadelphia, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $122 to $215. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Philadelphia to New York City?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Philadelphia to New York City will cost between $598 to $2,626. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,219 to $3,620, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Philadelphia to New York City will cost from $1,838 to $4,497.

How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to New York City?

Moving containers from Philadelphia to New York City will cost you $521 to $1,272 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $991 to $1,877. A larger home will cost $1,252 to $2,318.

How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia to New York City?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $122 to $179. A larger move will cost $127 to $217, and a four-bedroom move from Philadelphia to New York City costs from $151 to $236. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Philadelphia to New York City moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Philadelphia to New York City is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Philadelphia to New York City.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing

% of users select this mover

Pros and cons of moving from Philadelphia to New York City

Cost of living: Philadelphia vs New York City

Philadelphia New York City
Average rent cost $1,695 $4,000
Average home value $214,422 $729,936
Average income (per capita) $68,961 $75,624
Cost of Living (single person) $2,571 $1,594
Cost of Living (family of 4) $5,886 $5,883
Unemployment rate 10.6% 11.2%
Sales Tax 8.0% 8.0%
State Income Tax 3.07% 10.9%
  • Rent prices in New York City are 136% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • Home prices in New York City are 240.4% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • Income in New York City is 9.7% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • The cost of living for a single person in New York City is 38.0% lower than in Philadelphia.
  • The cost of living for a family is the same in New York City and Philadelphia.
  • The unemployment rate in New York City is 5.66% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • Sales taxes are the same in New York City and Philadelphia.
  • State income taxes in New York City are 255.05% higher than in Philadelphia.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,859.98 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How is life different in Philadelphia compared to New York City?

New York City Philadelphia
Population 8,804,190 1,603,797
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 10 9
Walkability score 88 75
Bike friendliness score 69 67
Crime Index 49.94 34.66
Safety Index 50.06 34.1
Air Quality Good Good
  • New York City's population is about 449% greater than Philadelphia.
  • New York City's public transportation has a score of 10 out of 10 versus Philadelphia's higher score of 9.
  • New York City is more walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 88 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 75 out of 100.
  • New York City is more bike-friendly than Philadelphia with a score of 69 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 67.
  • New York City's crime rate is higher than Philadelphia with a score of 49.94 compared to Philadelphia's 34.66. This means that New York City neighborhoods are safer than 49.94% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 34.66%.
  • New York City is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 50.06 vs Philadelphia's 34.1.
  • Air quality in New York City is good, and in Philadelphia it's good.

Considerations for moving to New York City

  • Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F..
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New York City. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Philadelphia movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Transtar Moving Systems Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
925 N Lenola Rd, Moorestown, NJ, 08057
(856) 727-1060
Anchor Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
8295 National Hwy Ste B, Pennsauken, NJ, 08110
(856) 787-9898

Visit our best long distance movers in Philadelphia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in New York City

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Big Apple", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in New York City.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Astoria, Queens
  • Lower East Side, Manhattan
  • Murray Hill, Manhattan
  • Upper East Side, Manhattan
  • Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Battery Park City, Manhattan
  • Forest Hills, Queens
  • Great Kills, Staten Island
  • Park Slope, Brooklyn
  • Riverdale, Bronx

What to do in New York City

These are some of the best things to do in your new New York home.

  • Central Park
  • Empire State Building
  • Statue of Liberty and Battery Park
  • Times Square
  • Broadway
  • Fifth Avenue
  • Rockefeller Center
  • Grand Central Terminal
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Get your sports on!

New York City is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Brooklyn Nets (NBA)
  • Long Island Nets (NBA G League)
  • New York City FC (MLS)
  • New York Giants (NFL)
  • New York Islanders (NHL)
  • New York Jets (NFL)
  • New York Knicks (NBA)
  • New York Liberty (WNBA)
  • New York Mets (MLB)
  • New York Rangers (NHL)
  • New York Red Bulls (MLS)
  • New York Yankees (MLB)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to New York City?

The best time to move from Philadelphia to New York City is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Philadelphia.

When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to New York City?

Because most people are moving from Philadelphia to New York City in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Philadelphia to New York City take?

The 97-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to New York City, NY, takes 1-2 days. Some Philadelphia movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in New York City.

Helpful moving resources