Moving from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, PA
Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: Moving from Philadelphia to Harrisburg costs between $121 to $4,579 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 107-mile route within Pennsylvania take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from Philadelphia to Harrisburg
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from Philadelphia to Harrisburg are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in Philadelphia to driving and unloading in Harrisburg, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 107 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,300 - $3,704 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,016 - $1,815 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $139 - $221 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Transtar Moving Systems | $130/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to Harrisburg?
It costs between $121 to $4,579 to move from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. The prices below break down your 107-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $709 - $4,579
- Moving containers: $832 - $2,316
- Rental trucks: $121 - $245
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $709 - $3,161 | $832 - $1,365 | $121 - $184 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,300 - $3,704 | $1,016 - $1,815 | $139 - $221 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,701 - $4,579 | $1,338 - $2,316 | $152 - $245 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $312 - $2,600+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $130/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $80/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $208 - $832 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $52 - $208 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from Philadelphia to Harrisburg
At 107 miles, your Philadelphia to Harrisburg move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Pennsylvania, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 107 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Zip to Zip Moving Inc is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. They've been in business since 2020 (6 years of experience) and 97.8% of their 278 verified reviews are positive.
More Pennsylvania moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Harrisburg to Philadelphia guide.
Considerations when moving from Philadelphia to Harrisburg
Cost of living: Philadelphia vs. Harrisburg
When comparing the cost of living between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, you need to look beyond housing prices. This section breaks down some key financial factors, including rent, home values, income, day-to-day expenses, and employment rates, to help you understand how life in Harrisburg stacks up against Philadelphia.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Philadelphia | Harrisburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,200 |
| Average home cost | $231,098 | $121,765 |
| Average income (per capita) | $60,698 | $47,783 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,541 | $1,849 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,190 | $3,612 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 13.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.0% | 6.0% |
- Rent in Harrisburg is about 29% cheaper than in Philadelphia, so you’ll have more money to put toward savings, fun, or whatever you like.
- Home prices in Harrisburg are 47% lower than in Philadelphia, making it easier for you to break into the housing market and land a more affordable mortgage and leaving you with extra money for other priorities.
- Income in Harrisburg is 21% lower than in Philadelphia. You might want to watch your budget, especially if local salaries don’t keep up with living expenses.
- Cost of living for one person in Harrisburg is 27% lower than in Philadelphia. You’ll likely have extra room in your budget, perfect for saving, spending, or investing.
- The cost of living for a family in Harrisburg is 42% lower than in Philadelphia. This can make the move financially beneficial if your family is looking to save or improve your quality of life.
- Unemployment in Harrisburg is 26% higher than in Philadelphia. Finding a good, stable job might be more challenging if you’re moving without having lined up a job.
- Sales taxes are about 25% cheaper in Harrisburg than in Philadelphia, which can lighten your cost of living if you tend to spend more on taxable goods and services.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,190 in Harrisburg to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Harrisburg
Before you make a move, it’s important to see how life stacks up in Harrisburg vs. Philadelphia. Everything from weather and the population to cost of living, politics, and safety can shape your day-to-day experience. Check out this side-by-side comparison to decide which city suits your lifestyle and priorities best.
| Philadelphia | Harrisburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,603,797 | 50,099 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 81-18 | Democratic 53-45 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 85ºF |
| Winter low | 26ºF | 24ºF |
| Annual rain | 47" | 42" |
| Annual snow | 13" | 26" |
| Crime index | 66.09 | 64.18 |
Harrisburg sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- You’ll notice that Harrisburg has about 97% fewer people than Philadelphia. Moving to a smaller city usually means more tranquility, extra room, and lower expenses, though you might give up some big-city conveniences.
- In the last presidential election, both Philadelphia and Harrisburg voted Democratic.
- Both Harrisburg and Philadelphia average summer highs close to 85°F. That means your daily rhythm in summer should feel familiar after the move.
- During the coldest part of the year, both Philadelphia and Harrisburg experience similar winter lows, with Philadelphia reaching 26°F and Harrisburg getting down to 24°F.
- Both Philadelphia and Harrisburg see about the same yearly rainfall—Philadelphia averages 47 inches, while Harrisburg gets 42 inches each year.
- On average, Harrisburg gets more snowfall than Philadelphia, with 26 inches each year compared to Philadelphia’s 13.
- Both Philadelphia and Harrisburg share similar crime rates, so you won’t notice much difference in safety between them.
Things to do in Harrisburg
Craving adventure, unique culture, or live sports? Harrisburg has you covered.
Museums in Harrisburg
- State Museum of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
- Susquehanna Art Museum
Parks in Harrisburg
- Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
- Wildwood Park
- Riverfront Park
- Kohl Memorial Park
Sports teams in Harrisburg
- Harrisburg Senators (Baseball-Eastern League)
Universities in Harrisburg
- Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
- University of Phoenix Harrisburg Campus
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Philadelphia to Harrisburg?
If you’re hiring a professional moving company to get your stuff from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, expect to pay between $615 and $2,644 to move just a few items or a small bedroom. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually run between $1,300 and $3,704. Moving a home with four or more bedrooms? You’re looking at anywhere from $1,701 up to $4,579 for the trip.
How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to Harrisburg?
If you’re moving from Philadelphia to Harrisburg and thinking about using moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices usually start around $571 and go up to $1,267. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs typically fall between $1,016 and $1,815. For larger moves—think four or five bedrooms—expect to spend somewhere between $1,338 and $2,316.
How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia to Harrisburg?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $124 to $190. A larger move will cost $139 to $221, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Philadelphia to Harrisburg costs from $152 to $245.
How far in advance should I book Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg movers?
For the smoothest experience, try to book your move from Philadelphia to Harrisburg at least two months before your moving date. Planning a summer move? Aim for at least three months in advance, since that’s the busiest season. Locking in your Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg movers early not only helps you snag your preferred date, but it can also score you the best prices. Some moving companies even sweeten the deal with early-bird discounts when you book ahead.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Harrisburg?
To save money on your move to Harrisburg, plan it between early October and late April. Moving outside the busy May-to-September season means less competition and better rates, helping you avoid peak prices and busy schedules.
