Moving to Pennsylvania

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.

  • Basic information about the Pennsylvania population, average yearly temperature and spoken languages.
  • Read about important cultural venues, the best places to live in and learn some fun facts about the state.
  • Check out the list of Pros and Cons of living in Pennsylvania before deciding to actually move.
  • Most importantly, find out all about Pennsylvania moving and living costs!

    Take a look at the list of housing, transportation and childcare costs, and learn about the living cost index in Pennsylvania.

  • Read all about moving costs.
  • All information regarding costs and pricing is compared with average US pricing.

  • You will also find very detailed information about the average yearly salary in Pennsylvania.
  • We prepared lists of moving to Pennsylvania tips.

For moving tips in general check out our Moving Checklist and Paperwork page.


Pennsylvania

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.


Moving to Pennsylvania Pros & Cons


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:


Moving to Pennsylvania Pros


1. Affordable Living Costs

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.

2. Education

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.

3. Job Opportunities

Lately, Pennsylvania is becoming popular with entrepreneurs. You will find a lot of start-up companies in cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

4. Culture and History

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.

5. Health Care

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.

6. Nature

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.

7. Diversity

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.

8. Night Skies

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.

9. Position

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.

10. Food

Pennsylvania is home to the Chocolate capital of America, apart from that you will also be able to taste amazing pizza, cheesesteak, and buffet.

Moving to Pennsylvania Cons


1. Higher Tax Rates

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.

2. Traffic

Due to its proximity to Washington DC and New York City, parts of the state can experience traffic congestion on a daily basis.

3. Weather

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.

4. Things To Do

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.

5. Liquor Laws

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.

Pennsylvania Pros and Cons
Pennsylvania Fun Facts

Moving to Pennsylvania Tips


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.

  • Buy a Shovel - You need to be prepared for the snowstorms. Each municipality has its own laws regarding snow removal.
  • Explore the Nature and the Wilderness - Pennsylvania is home to 18 state forests, numerous state parks, and national preserves. Nature will leave you breathless.
  • There Are a Lot of Different Dialects - Pennsylvania is the most linguistically diverse state in the United States. Dialects have unique grammar rules and vocabulary.
  • Road Construction - There is a saying that there are only two seasons in Pennsylvania: winter and road construction season. There are a lot of potholes, and you will need to drive carefully.
  • Alcohol Laws - You need to know that you won't be able to buy liquor in markets or gas stations, and some bars will not sell you alcohol drinks after 2 am.
  • All Four Seasons - You will be able to enjoy them, every season is special for something but almost everyone will tell you that fall is the most beautiful one.
  • Explore the Historic Sites - There is always something new to explore in Pennsylvania, there are numerous national treasures and historic sites that you need to visit.
  • Halloween is Not Always on Oct. 31 - Many areas reschedule trick-or-treating on other dates.
  • Pennsylvania is a Commonwealth - Not a state. There is a difference in history, but the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a Department of State.
  • You Will Get to Know the Amish Culture - Pennsylvania has the second-largest Amish population in the country, mostly in Lancaster County.

Check out our printable Stage-by-Stage MOVING CHECKLIST.

This ultimate moving checklist will help you complete your moving without stress.


Moving Checklist

Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania

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

Harrisburg

Lancaster

Lancaster

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

Reading

Reading

York

York

Allentown

Allentown


Pennsylvania Moving Costs


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.


  • Packing Supplies

    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.

  • Moving Insurance

    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.

  • Moving Start-up Costs

    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.

  • Boarding Your Pets

    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.

  • Stair Fees

    Some of the moving companies will ask you to pay a stair fee.

  • Moving Large Items Fees

    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.

  • Valuable Artworks or Decorative Pieces Are Often Handled by Specialised Movers

    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.

  • Storage Space Renting

    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.

  • Re-buying Items Once You've Moved In

    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.

  • Tips For Your Movers

    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.


Moving to Pennsylvania


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

Cultural Venues in Pennsylvania

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.

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum

National Military Park Museum

Museum of the American Civil War

  • City: Gettysburg
  • Adress: 1195 Baltimore Pike, 17325
  • Admission Fee: Free
Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Art Museum

  • City: Philadelphia
  • Adress: 2600 B. Franklin Pkwy, 19130
  • Admission Fee: $14 - $25
arnes Foundation

Barnes Foundation

Art Collection and Educational Institution

  • City: Philadelphia
  • Adress: 2025 B. Franklin Pkwy, 19130
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $25
Fallingwater

Fallingwater

House by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright

  • City: Mill Run
  • Adress: 1491 Mill Run Rd, 15464
  • Admission Fee: $10 - $150
Brandywine River Museum of Art

Brandywine River Museum of Art

Museum of Regional and American Art

  • City: Chadds Ford
  • Adress: 1 Hoffmans Mill Rd, 19317
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $18
Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute

Science Museum And The Education Center

  • City: Philadelphia
  • Adress: 222 N 20th St, 19103
  • Admission Fee: $0 - $30

Pennsylvania Living Costs


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.


How much are utilities in Harrisburg


  • 85m2 Apartment Monthly Utilities, Basic (Electricity, Water, Cooling, Heating, Garbage):

    $200.00

  • 1 Min. Of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans):

    $0.10

  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/adsl):

    $75.00

  • Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), for 20 Years Fixed-rate, Yearly:

    4.54

Austin VS US Average

Average Living Costs in Pennsylvania

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

Work and Salary


Average Yearly Salary in Pennsylvania is $62,000

Currently, most popular and best-paid jobs in Pennsylvania are:

  • Operations Manager - $66,000/yr
  • Project Manager - $72,000/yr
  • Software Engineer - $75,000/yr
  • Mechanical Engineer - $67,000/yr
  • Office Manager - $46,000/yr
  • Administrative Assistant - $37,000/yr
  • Human Resources (HR) Manager - $65,000/yr

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

Top 6 Universities in Pennsylvania

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.

Penn State University

Penn State University

Acronuym: PSU

  • City: University Park
  • Address: 201 Old Main, 16802-1589
  • Founded: 1855
University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania

Acronuym: Upenn

  • City: Philadelphia
  • Address: 34th and Spruce Streets, 19104-6303
  • Founded: 1740
Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

Acronuym: CMU

  • City: Pittsburgh
  • Address: 5000 Forbes Avenue, 15213-3890
  • Founded: 1900
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh

Acronuym: -

  • City: Pittsburgh
  • Address: 4200 Fifth Avenue, 15260
  • Founded: 1787
Temple University

Temple University

Acronuym: -

  • City: Philadelphia
  • Address: 1801 N Broad Street, 19122-6096
  • Founded: 1884
Drexel University

Drexel University

Acronuym: -

  • City: Philadelphia
  • Address: 3141 Chestnut Street, 19104
  • Founded: 1891

Pennsylvania - Important Information


State of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Seal

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.

  • State Capital:

    Harrisburg

  • Largest City (By Population):

    Philadelphia

  • Official State Website:

    pa.gov

  • Official Language:

    English

  • Spoken Languages:

    Spanish, German, Chinese, Pennsylvania German, Mandarin, Italian, French, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean and other.

  • Dimensions:

    Length - 447 mi (721 km)

    Width - 283 mi (455 km)

Pennsylvania Population:


  • According to the last census (2010): 12,702,379
  • According to the latest estimate (2019): 12,813,969
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%

Pennsylvania - Average Yearly Temperature

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

Pennsylvania - Crime rates

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

Famous National Parks in Pennsylvania

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.

Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs State Park

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.

  • Nearest city: West Branch
  • Nearest large city: Scranton
  • Visitors per year: 52,229 (in 2018)
Ohiopyle State Park

Ohiopyle State Park

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.

  • Nearest city: Mill Run
  • Nearest major city: Pittsburgh
  • Visitors per year: -
Ricketts Glen State Park

Ricketts Glen State Park

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.

  • Nearest city: Ricketts
  • Nearest major city: Allentown
  • Visitors per year: -
Canaveral National Seashore

Hyner View State Park

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.

  • Nearest city: Chapman
  • Nearest major city: Harrisburg
  • Visitors per year: -
Blue Spring State Park

Presque Isle 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

  • Nearest city: Erie
  • Nearest major city: Erie
  • Visitors per year: 4,000,000 (annually)
Paynes Prairie Preserve

Kinzua Bridge State Park

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.

  • Nearest city: Smethport
  • Nearest major city: Pittsburgh
  • Visitors per year: -