Things to know before moving from Pennsylvania to Cleveland, OH

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Cleveland, OH

Pennsylvania Cleveland
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,295
Average home value $268,824 $108,509
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $64,965
Unemployment rate 3% 7%
State income tax 3% 4%
  • Rent is about 17% more expensive in Cleveland than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 60% lower in Cleveland than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 11% lower in Cleveland than in Pennsylvania.
  • Cleveland has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 100%.
  • Income taxes are 14% higher in Cleveland than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Cleveland from Pennsylvania

Cleveland Pennsylvania
Population 372,624 12,961,683
Political leaning Republican 55-43 Republican 51-49
Summer high 82ºF 83ºF
Winter low 22ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 38" 44"
Annual snow 54" 38"
Crime index 63.41 17.62
  • The population of Cleveland is approximately 97% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Cleveland voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Cleveland is 82ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Cleveland reaches the temperature of 22ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Cleveland vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Cleveland, it snows about 54 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Cleveland has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 63.41 vs 17.62.

Things to do in Cleveland

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

Museums in Clevelandtoggle

  • A Christmas Story House
  • African American Museum
  • ARTneo
  • Artists Archives of the Western Reserve
  • Baseball Heritage Museum
  • Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
  • Children's Museum of Cleveland
  • Cleveland Grays Armory Museum
  • Cleveland History Center
  • Cleveland Hungarian MuseumCleveland Museum of Art
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History
  • Cleveland Police Museum
  • Cleveland State University Art Galleries
  • Cozad-Bates House Interpretive
  • Dittrick Museum of Medical History
  • Dunham Tavern Museum
  • Great Lakes Science Center
  • Greater Cleveland Aquarium
  • Historical Society of Old Brooklyn Museum
  • International Women's Air & Space Museum
  • Italian American Museum of Cleveland
  • Learning Center and Money Museum
  • Louis Stokes Museum
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • NASA Glenn Visitor Center
  • Polish-American Cultural Center of Cleveland
  • Reinberger Galleries
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Sculpture Center
  • SPACES Gallery
  • Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum
  • Temple Museum of Religious Art
  • Transformer Station
  • Ukrainian Museum-Archives
  • USS Cod

Parks in Clevelandtoggle

  • Edgewater Park
  • Cleveland Metroparks
  • Cleveland Botanical Garden
  • Rocky River Reservation
  • Rockefeller Park & Greenhouse
  • South Chagrin Reservation
  • Bedford Reservation
  • Cleveland Cultural Gardens
  • Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
  • Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
  • Wendy Park
  • Voinovich Bicentennial Park
  • Italian Cultural Garden
  • Mill Stream Run Reservation

Sports Teams in Clevelandtoggle

  • Cleveland Browns (NFL)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
  • Cleveland Charge NBA G-League)
  • Cleveland Crunch (MASL2)
  • Cleveland Guardians (MLB)
  • Cleveland Monsters (AHL)

Universities in Clevelandtoggle

  • Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)
  • Cleveland State University (CSU)
  • Cuyahoga Community College
  • Ohio Technical College
  • Baldwin Wallace University
  • John Carroll University
  • Ursuline College
  • Notre Dame College

Other considerations when moving to Cleveland, OH

  • Weather: Cleveland has four very distinct seasons. This means that in the wintertime, you should prepare for snow and in the summer it's usually warm.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Ohio 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 Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen 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.

Compare the pros and cons of Pennsylvania vs. Cleveland, OH

Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Cleveland, OH:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Pennsylvania vs Cleveland side-by-side.

Pros of living in Pennsylvania Pros of living in Cleveland, OH
Low cost of living Abundant food options
Abundant fun and recreational activities Beautiful nature
Beautiful landscapes Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Ample economic opportunity Friendly people
Excellent education options Diverse

Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Cleveland, OH:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Cleveland.

Cons of living in Pennsylvania Cons of living in Cleveland, OH
Harsh winter weather Construction
Bad driving conditions Brutal winters
Nuclear power plants Limited economic opportunity
Unpredictable weather High crime rate
High taxes on gasoline High taxes

FAQ

How long does a move from Pennsylvania to Cleveland take?

The time frame for a move from Pennsylvania to Cleveland, OH, 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

Because of the 282-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH?

With the summer highs of 82ºF and the winter lows of 22ºF, most people move to Cleveland 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 Cleveland during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources