2019 Moving to Pennsylvania Relocation Guide
Welcome to 2019 Ultimate Moving to Pennsylvania Relocation Guide! Before this big step, find out all important information about Pennsylvania.
Take a look at the list of housing, transportation and childcare costs, and learn about the living cost index in Pennsylvania.
All information regarding costs and pricing is compared with average US pricing.
For moving tips in general check out our Moving Checklist and Paperwork page.
Welcome to the state of forests, waterfalls, and mountains. Welcome to the state of chocolate, dairy products, and mushrooms. Welcome to the most historic state, welcome to the keystone state, welcome to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has a long and rich history, breathtaking landscapes and amazing cities.
This diverse commonwealth is a perfect choice for families, singles, elderly and students. Nature, education, healthcare, job opportunities, and fresh produce are just some of the biggest perks of living in the keystone state. If you decide to move to Pennsylvania you ill be able to enjoy the calm rural environments and the crowds of NYC or Washington.
The official state slogan is “Pursue Your Happiness” and a lot of people are moving to Pennsylvania to do so. You will be living in a state of many firsts. You will be living in the state which is home to the chocolate capital and the Christmas tree capital of America. Pennsylvania is a very diverse state and you will be very welcome.
Pennsylvania is defined by varieties. You will be able to choose between rural environments and cities, you will experience all 4 seasons and you will learn new dialects. There are some obvious advantages of living in one of the most historic states of America but you need to learn the disadvantages too. Go ahead and read all about the pros and cons of moving to Pennsylvania, get prepared for this step, the perks of living in Pennsylvania are endless:
Costs of living in Pennsylvania are close to the national averages and in some cases even lower. Housing costs are affordable too even in the big cities.
Pennsylvania is home to numerous world-recognized universities. Penn State University is the most popular one along with the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, or Temple University. Many school districts are top-rated and above national averages in test scores too.
Lately, Pennsylvania is becoming popular with entrepreneurs. You will find a lot of start-up companies in cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania is one of the most historic states in the USA. There are a lot of different cultures that you will be able to get to know. There are several world-famous art venues and historic sites within the state's borders.
Health care institutions in Pennsylvania are outstanding. Pennsylvania is home to some of the world's top-rated hospitals like Penn Presbyterian in Philadelphia and UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh. Medical educations are also on a high level in Pennsylvania.
Recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania are endless. State parks and nature preserves will provide you with some of the most beautiful outdoor experiences and you will be able to explore almost any kind of landscape.
Large cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have a very diverse population, but you will be able to experience all sorts of diversity throughout the while state too.
Cherry Springs State Park is one of the most popular stargazing destinations in the world but that is not all. There are numerous small towns, parks, and villages that will provide you with breathtaking views of the night skies.
Pennsylvania has a great location, and you will be able to access many many cities along the eastern seaboard. You can get to both NYC and Washington in less than 3 hours. You can easily access Niagara waterfalls or Boston and you can even travel to Canada.
Pennsylvania is home to the Chocolate capital of America, apart from that you will also be able to taste amazing pizza, cheesesteak, and buffet.
There are additional tax responsibilities in Pennsylvania. You will need to pay local wage and service taxes and property tax is higher than the national average.
Due to its proximity to Washington DC and New York City, parts of the state can experience traffic congestion on a daily basis.
If you live near the mountains, you will have to deal with extremely cold winters and a lot of snow. The weather is listed as one of the biggest cons of living in Pennsylvania because of the snowstorms.
Pennsylvania has a lot of rural places, and most of the recreational activities are nature-oriented. On the other hand, there are a lot of things to do in the cities, and it is very close to NYC.
The state has strict liquor laws with a lot of restrictions, and you won't be able to buy liquor from local markets or gas stations like in most of the other US states.
Moving to Pennsylvania is a big, challenging step and the state offers so many different opportunities. Whether you are moving for work or for pleasure you will find our tips useful. Here are 10 TIPS about moving to Pennsylvania, 10 facts that will help you prepare for this step.
This ultimate moving checklist will help you complete your moving without stress.
You know you want to live in The Keystone State but you don't know which city to choose? Take a look at the list of top 6 best places to live in Pennsylvania according to usnews. Every city in Pennsylvania has its pros and cons and you should choose wisely, there are a lot of factors that you should consider.
Harrisburg
Lancaster
Pittsburgh
Reading
York
Allentown
There are certain costs associated with moving that most people tend to neglect. Even if you have opted for a self-moving job that does not involve hiring a professional moving company, you will have to pay extra for certain things. Here is a list of moving and packing costs you may have forgotten.
If you plan to move on a budget and want to fo the packing yourself, you must know that you will need to invest in packing supplies like boxes, tape or bubble wrap.
During the move something almost always brake. Getting moving insurance is always recommended. Most of the moving companies offer insurance and you can decide how much to get, considering how valuable your things are.
For renting new space start-up costs include things like your first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, a pet deposit or an application fee.
If you are buying start-up costs are much bigger. They include closing costs for your new mortgage which is often measured in thousands of dollars. Average closing costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the cost of your home. These costs include things like a fee for running your credit report, a loan origination fee, attorney’s fees, the cost of a home inspection, a title search, an appraisal fee, and a survey fee, etc.
You can expect extra costs for boarding your pets. Often enough, people tend to move their pets overnight, that way pets are not exposed to the stress.
Some of the moving companies will ask you to pay a stair fee.
It is always best to check with moving companies about extra fees and inform them about your large items, like piano or pool table, in advance. That way you will avoid surprises on a moving day.
There are professionals who are trained to handle valuable items. Packing and moving valuable items is more complex than regular moving. So you can expect to pay extra on moving those kinds of pieces.
Sometimes, you don't want to bring all of your things to your new home, but you don't want to throw them either. If you find yourself in this situation you will have to find storage space for those things. Having to store items could mean an additional monthly expense.
While you shouldn't get rid of everything before a move, there are going to be some items that you're not going to want to bring to your new space.
Your movers are doing a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, and they deserve to be compensated. Just note, that tips are always expected by your movers.
Here you can find a list of shipping costs. Please note that the cost of international shipping (calculated with reallymoving) is solely the cost of shipping itself. Costs are calculated for moving entire two bedroom home, in the next three monts.
| Moving From | Cost |
|---|---|
| Vancouver (Canada) | $4,500 - $6,100 |
| Sydney (Australia) | $5,200 - $7,100 |
| Auckland (New Zealand) | $5,200 - $7,100 |
| Beijing (China) | $5,400 - $7,400 |
| Tokyo (Japan) | $5,200 - $7,100 |
| Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | $4,100 - $6,800 |
| Mexico City (Mexico) | $3,600 - $6,200 |
| London (United Kingdom) | $4,300 - $5,800 |
| Dublin (Ireland) | $4,300 - $5,800 |
| Singapore | $5,200 - $7,100 |
You will find world-class art centers throughout the whole state of Pennsylvania. Whether you are a fan of paintings, sculptures, music or performance you will enjoy living in Pennsylvania. The state is rich in ethnic diversity, and the state's culture is defined by it. Explore the art and culture venues and visit historic sites. Take a look at our list of top 6 cultural venues in Pennsylvania.
Museum of the American Civil War
Art Museum
Art Collection and Educational Institution
House by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Brandywine River Museum of Art
Museum of Regional and American Art
Science Museum And The Education Center
Costs of living in Pennsylvania are mostly affordable, close to the national average and in some cases even lower. Currently, the state is ranked #32 for the living costs. Housing costs are also affordable in most of the cities. Moving to a new state is always challenging and you need to learn all about the costs. Taxes in Pennsylvania are close to the national averages, only property tax is high. For more information about living costs visit numbeo or BestPlaces.
$200.00
$0.10
$75.00
4.54
| Cost of Living | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 75.1 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98.2 | 100 |
| Grocery | 100.3 | 100 |
| Health | 97 | 100 |
| Other | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | Buy per Sq Ft | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $332.03 | $1,619.78 |
| Pittsburgh | $172.25 | $1,194.90 |
| Allentown | $118.80 | $737.50 |
| Erie | $172.25 | $585.00 |
| Reading | $83.42 | $780.00 |
| Scranton | $172.25 | $700.00 |
| US Average | $242.48 | $1,294.88 |
| Transportation | One Way Ticket | Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $2.50 | $96.00 |
| Pittsburgh | $2.75 | $97.50 |
| Allentown | $2.00 | $60.00 |
| Erie | $1.55 | $49.00 |
| Reading | $2.0 | $47.00 |
| Scranton | $1.75 | $56.00 |
| US Average | $2.25 | $70.00 |
| Child Care | Preschool | Primary School |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $962.50 | $24,750.00 |
| Pittsburgh | $1,050.00 | $11,500.00 |
| Allentown | $1,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
| Erie | $750.00 | $12,333.33 |
| Reading | $814.00 | $12,000.00 |
| Scranton | $1,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
| US Average | $896.05 | $16,125.51 |
Average Yearly Salary in Pennsylvania is $62,000
Currently, most popular and best-paid jobs in Pennsylvania are:
All the information is provided by Glassdoor and Payscale where you can get more detailed information about the job of interest. If you don't have a specific job in mind, you can also check this list of 10 common jobs and professions in the United States with an average salary for each of them.
| Job | Pennsylvania | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $9.85/h | $10.57/h |
| Receptionist | $12.98/h | $13.34/h |
| Repair Technician | $17.41/h | $16.24/h |
| Actor | $12.15/h | $11.06/h |
| Registered Nurse | $33.41/h | $33.87/h |
| Secretary | $15.87/h | $13.96/h |
| Preschool Teacher | $11.89/h | $12.52/h |
| High School Teacher | $17.37/h | $19.20/h |
| Lawyer | $59.59/h | $65.62/h |
Pennsylvania is home to thousands of private schools, almost 500 public school districts, numerous public universities and colleges, and many private higher education institutions. Pennsylvania is also home to the first university in the United States with the first medial schools too, The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the first and oldest art school in the United States. Take a look at the list of top 6 universities in Pennsylvania, according to UniRank.
Acronuym: PSU
Acronuym: Upenn
Acronuym: CMU
Acronuym: -
Acronuym: -
State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the 33rd-largest state by area, and the 5th-most populous state according to the most recent census count in 2010. It is the 9th-most densely populated of the 50 states. Pennsylvania's two most populous cities are Philadelphia and Pittsburgh while Harrisburg is the state capital. Pennsylvania has been known as the Keystone State since 1802 because of the state's central location among the original Thirteen Colonies.
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
pa.gov
English
Spanish, German, Chinese, Pennsylvania German, Mandarin, Italian, French, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean and other.
Length - 447 mi (721 km)
Width - 283 mi (455 km)
| Pennsylvania Demographics by Race | ||
|---|---|---|
| White | 10,378,174 | 81.14% |
| Asian | 417,525 | 3.26% |
| Other Race | 251,215 | 1.96% |
| Black or African American | 1,417,611 | 11.08% |
| Two or More Races | 297,320 | 2.32% |
| Native American | 24,995 | 0.20% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 3,665 | 0.03% |
| Temperature | Annual High | Annual Low | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 26.6°C | 13.3°C | 19.95°C |
| Pittsburgh | 29°C | 21.1°C | 25.05°C |
| Allentown | 27.6°C | 18.4°C | 23°C |
| Erie | 28°C | 17.9°C | 22.95°C |
| Reading | 27.7°C | 18.6°C | 23.15°C |
| Scranton | 28.1°C | 20.8°C | 24.45°C |
Very low: 0 - 20, Low: 20 - 40, Moderate: 40 - 60, High: 60 - 80, Very high: 80 - 100. By numbeo.
| City | Crime Index | Safety Index | Level of crime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 60.51 | 39.49 | 72.99 |
| Pittsburgh | 35.86 | 64.14 | 40.50 |
| Allentown | 73.64 | 26.36 | 79.35 |
| Erie | 48.45 | 51.55 | 53.33 |
| Reading | 73.53 | 26.47 | 82.14 |
| Scranton | 37.89 | 62.11 | 40.62 |
The state of Pennsylvania has numerous man-made attractions to offer but some of the most beautiful sites are all-natural. Apart from the popular attractions throughout the cities you should go out and explore state parks and national preserves, take a forest walk, swim in the lakes and enjoy the stargazing. Take a look at our list of top 6 national attractions to visit in Pennsylvania.
State Park named for a large stand of Black Cherry trees. At an elevation of 2,300 feet (701 m) it is popular with astronomers and stargazers for having "some of the darkest night skies on the east coast" of the United States.
The focal point of the Ohiopyle State Park is the Youghiogheny River Gorge that flows through the park, one of the most popular spots for whitewater boating and rafting in the state. Ohiopyle State Park also features several breathtaking waterfalls.
Ricketts Glen is a National Natural Landmark is known for its old-growth forest and 24 named waterfalls along Kitchen Creek. The park offers numerous recreational options, camping spots and it is also a very important bird area.
Hyner View State Park is surrounded by Sproul State Forest. The park is the location of a scenic lookout and contains a launching point for hang gliding. You will find amazing picnic spots and hiking tracks in the Hyner View State Park.
The Presque Isle peninsula is formed on a moraine and is constantly being reshaped by waves and wind. The park is the National Natural Landmark and it has also been named one of the best places in the United States for watching birds
Kinzua Bridge was built in 1882 and destroyed in 2003 by a tornado. At the time it was built, the original bridge was the highest and the longest railway bridge in the world. Today you can enjoy the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk.
