($1,475) Movers From Milwaukee, WI to Philadelphia, PA

What to know before moving from Milwaukee to Philadelphia

Moving from Milwaukee to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Milwaukee, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Philadelphia are 36% higher than in Milwaukee, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Milwaukee.
  Home prices in Philadelphia are 8.1% higher than in Milwaukee.
• Income in Philadelphia is 42.3% higher than in Milwaukee, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Philadelphia, since the cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 25.7% higher than in Milwaukee. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Philadelphia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 24.7% higher than in Milwaukee.
• The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 43.24% higher than in Milwaukee.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the city’s sales taxes in Philadelphia are 63.27% higher than in Milwaukee.
• One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 59.87% lower than in Milwaukee.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,770.03 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Milwaukee.

How life is different in Milwaukee vs. Philadelphia

• The population of Philadelphia is about 178% greater than Milwaukee, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Philadelphia offers better access to buses and trains than Milwaukee, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 8 in Milwaukee. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Philadelphia means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Milwaukee. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Milwaukee, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 62 out of 100 in Milwaukee. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Philadelphia is considered more bike-friendly than Milwaukee in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Milwaukee is rated as 58 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Philadelphia as Milwaukee. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Philadelphia is generally as safe as Milwaukee, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Philadelphia and Milwaukee is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Milwaukee vs. Philadelphia move

• Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Pennsylvania, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Pennsylvania doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Philadelphia without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Philadelphia

With your sights set on "Philly", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Philadelphia.

Helpful moving resources