($97+) Philadelphia, PA to New York City, NY Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to NYC, runs anywhere from $95 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $3,787 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 94 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

  • Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $574, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $3,787 or more.
  • Moving containers run $660 - $1,874, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $95 - $191.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to NYC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,079 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

Moving options from Philadelphia to NYC fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,079 - $3,205 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 94-mile route typically takes 1 to 2 days door to door.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 94-mile route from Philadelphia to NYC, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $574 - $2,558 $660 - $1,138 $95 - $150 $0 - $0
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,079 - $3,205 $817 - $1,487 $101 - $181 $0 - $0
4+ bedrooms $1,444 - $3,787 $1,098 - $1,874 $121 - $191 $0 - $0

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 94-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to NYC, New York, with prices running from $574 - $3,787. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $394 - $2,624 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Philadelphia and NYC are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Philadelphia movers tend to run around $282 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover, for comparison.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to NYC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $574 - $2,558
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,079 - $3,205
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,444 - $3,787

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Philadelphia to NYC.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Pennsylvania to New York. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

Specialty needs vary by market — 90% of Philadelphia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In New York City, 93% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing97% of local movers$656 - $6,560
Storage in transitNew place not ready90% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$262 - $1,574/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$394 - $3,149
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs39% of local movers$1,312 - $3,936
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,280 - $13,120
Car shippingSecond vehicle$983 - $1,867
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items59% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicky's Moving & Storage$1,312 - $3,280
PianoAny piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Gentle Giant Moving Company$1,050 - $4,592
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling38% of local movers$394 - $1,968
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Keep It Moving, LLC$853 - $2,624
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$394 - $19,680+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$394 - $4,592+

What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to NYC?

New York State Movers & Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New York, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

How much do local movers cost in Philadelphia, PA?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Philadelphia to NYC with a local mover averages $1,089 - $3,237. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Philadelphia, PA can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.

That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.

Zip to Zip Moving Inc (4.44/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Philadelphia, based on our analysis of feedback from 278 customers, 97.8% of which is positive.

Address: 558 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton, PA, 19341 | Founded: 2020

Moving container costs from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to NYC, New York, cost between $660 and $1,874. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Philadelphia typically costs about $80/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to NYC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $660 - $1,138
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $817 - $1,487
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,098 - $1,874

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $98 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $197 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
  • Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $918 in Philadelphia, PA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
  • Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your NYC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Pennsylvania to New York move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.

Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $660. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $817 - $1,487, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Philadelphia to NYC?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Philadelphia to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Philadelphia:

  • Transtar Moving Systems (4.9/5), 64 years in business
  • Keep It Moving, LLC (4.2/5), 20 years in business
  • Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

Renting a moving truck for the 94-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to NYC, New York, costs between $95 and $191, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $39 - $45
  • Daily insurance: $39/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia to NYC based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $95 - $150
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $101 - $181
  • 4+ bedrooms: $121 - $191

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $95 - $191 does not include fuel ($39 - $45) , lodging ($197/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Philadelphia to NYC typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $39 - $45 for the 94-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about 5 hours typically costs around $918.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 94-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $197 per night, adding $394 - $590 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $66 and $394.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia to NYC?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Philadelphia, PA to NYC

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to NYC, New York. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.

Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,181 and $0.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to NYC:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $0 - $0
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $0 - $0
  • 4+ bedrooms: $0 - $0

Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
  • More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $98 - $197 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for about five hours typically runs $918.

What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to NYC?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
  3. Pipco Transportation, Inc. (4.66/5 stars): Pipco Transportation, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.

Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.

Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs NYC

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in NYC, side by side with Philadelphia on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Philadelphia, PA NYC
Cost of living index104172
Average rent$1,695/mo$4,340/mo
Median home value$231,098$732,100
Average income$60,698/yr$127,894/yr
Unemployment rate10.6%11.2%
State income taxUp to 3.07%Up to 10.9%
Walkability score75/10088/100
Safety index33.91/10049.17/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

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

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to New York, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 106 movers licensed in Pennsylvania, useful context for sizing up this 94-mile move.

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Our take

A move from Philadelphia, PA, to NYC, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $574 - $3,787 on the 94-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $660 - $1,874, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $95 - $191. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,079 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.

Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to NYC tend to point to ample economic opportunity and diverse cuisine, though overcrowded and pollution come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include IBM and PepsiCo.

FAQs: Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to NYC, NY

What is the cheapest way to move from Philadelphia, PA to NYC?

Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $101 - $181. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.

What are the best neighborhoods in NYC?

For families, Battery Park City, Manhattan, Forest Hills, Queens, and Great Kills, Staten Island are worth a look in NYC. If you're moving solo or without kids, Astoria, Queens, Lower East Side, Manhattan, and Murray Hill, Manhattan tend to be popular picks instead.

How long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to NYC take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.

What do local movers charge in Philadelphia?

Local movers based in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate, plus $130/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in NYC run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA to NYC?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

What percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 75% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 59% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.