Moving to Pennsylvania? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Pennsylvania, also known as the Keystone State for its pivotal part in founding the United States, is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. It is a state known for its rich history, it is home to the Liberty Bell which played an important part in the abolition of slavery in the US.

If you are considering moving to Pennsylvania, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Pennsylvania Facts:

Population: 12.96 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $56,800 (2019)
Random Fact: The ‘Oil Rush’ began in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Pennsylvania

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$2700
Florida	$2300
New York	$1500
Texas	$2600
Illinois	$2200
Ohio	$1800
Georgia	$2000
North Carolina	$1900
Michigan	$1700
New Jersey	$1600

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to Pennsylvania. As always, these costs are approximate and can vary based on factors such as the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

You can also find international moving companies in Pennsylvania here.

2. Pennsylvania Housing Costs

In Pennsylvania, housing costs can vary widely based on location. For example, downtown Philadelphia, the largest city in the state, is quite expensive with median home prices over $250,000 and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment over $1,500 per month, while in smaller cities like Lancaster or Reading, median home prices are closer to $150,000, and monthly rents average less than $1,000.

Monthly Rental Prices in Pennsylvania:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,250+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,175+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $1,500+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,650+

Pennsylvania Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Pennsylvania compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 55.1% more expensive
New York is 68.7% more expensive
Los Angeles is 56.2% more expensive
Toronto is 36.8% more expensive
Sydney is 47.3% more expensive
Paris is 24.3% more expensive
Dubai is 37.3% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: SpareRoom.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Housing costs in Pennsylvania span a broad range depending on the area. In bustling city centres such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, median home prices hover around $250,000, with rents for a one-bedroom apartment surpassing $1,500 per month. However, in smaller towns like Erie or Bethlehem, you might find more affordable options, with median home prices around $150,000 and average monthly rents below $1,000.

3. Pennsylvania Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Pennsylvania’s culinary scene is a blend of traditional and contemporary, with farm-to-table dining and craft breweries being major trends. The state is known for its iconic Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia, pierogies in Pittsburgh, and in Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine featuring shoofly pie and scrapple.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $14.50
Takeout Coffee: $3.80
Bottle of Coke: $2.30
1L of Milk: $1.00
Loaf of Bread: $3.00
12 Eggs: $4.00
1kg Chicken: $11.00
1kg Beef: $16.50
1kg Apples: $4.60
1kg White Rice: $5.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 36.4% more expensive and groceries are 21.3% cheaper than Pennsylvania.
New York restaurants are 39.3% more expensive and groceries are 27.7% more expensive than Pennsylvania.
Los Angeles restaurants are 36.5% more expensive and groceries are 9.7% more expensive than Pennsylvania.
Toronto restaurants are 18.3% more expensive and groceries are 4.9% cheaper than Pennsylvania.
Sydney restaurants are 22% more expensive and groceries are 6.4% more expensive than Pennsylvania.
Paris restaurants are 14.6% more expensive and groceries are 4.9% more expensive than Pennsylvania.
Dubai restaurants are 13% more expensive and groceries are 46.5% cheaper than Pennsylvania.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Pennsylvania is known for its thriving farmers’ markets, with the largest being the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, offering a vast selection of fresh produce, baked goods, meats, and cheeses from local farms. As for supermarkets, you’ll find a wide range from budget-friendly chains like Aldi and Giant to high-end options like Wegmans and Whole Foods.
Find Cheap Eats: Pennsylvania has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. Pennsylvania Alcohol Costs

Pennsylvania, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.50
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.60
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $13.50

How To Drink For Less in Pennsylvania:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.

5. Pennsylvania Transportation Fares

In Pennsylvania, the largest city Philadelphia boasts extensive public transportation with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offering buses, subways, and trolleys. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, the Port Authority provides bus and light rail service, but in more rural parts of the state, public transport is less prevalent and residents often rely on cars.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $2.25
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $51.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Pennsylvania

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Pennsylvania, US is around 10.5°C, with January being the coldest month typically seeing temperatures drop to -2.2°C. July is usually the hottest month with an average temperature of around 23.3°C, while June tends to be the wettest month.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $20.00
Summer Dress: $15.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $60.00
Business Shoes: $225.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $2.50
Shampoo: $3.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
Gym Membership: $20.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $11.50

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Pennsylvania

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Pennsylvania. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Pennsylvania:

Volkswagen Golf: $24,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.90

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Pennsylvania:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Pennsylvania

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

Pennsylvania has a state sales tax rate of 6%. However, certain municipalities in the state charge an additional local sales tax, such as Allegheny County at 7% and Philadelphia at 8%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Pennsylvania at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Pennsylvania you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Pennsylvania

If you do make the move to Pennsylvania, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $520
New York: $80
Los Angeles: $105
Toronto: $100
Vancouver: $170
Dubai: $580
Sydney: $860
Melbourne: $1,400
Cape Town: $860
Hong Kong: $990

Other Tips on Moving to Pennsylvania:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Pennsylvania but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Pennsylvania Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Pennsylvania.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Pennsylvania always has something going on. Have a look at Visit PA.

12. Moving to Pennsylvania with a Family

Pennsylvania offers a number of family-friendly communities and amenities, with many top-rated schools, parks, and museums, making it suitable for raising a family. Pennsylvania’s crime rate is slightly lower than the national average, but certain urban areas like Philadelphia can have higher crime rates.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Penn Medicine.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Chesterbrook, located in the Philadelphia suburbs, is often rated as one of the most family-friendly areas in Pennsylvania. It boasts excellent schools, low crime rates, and a high number of community events, making it a desirable location for families.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Pennsylvania. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Pennsylvania for Work

While it is possible to move to Pennsylvania without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Pennsylvania’s economy is diversified, featuring prominent sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and education. The unemployment rate is around 7.3%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Pennsylvania, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Pennsylvania from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Pennsylvania, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: 50% of the Australian state of Victoria is similar in size to Pennsylvania.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in Pennsylvania that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Pennsylvania from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Pennsylvania. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Newfoundland and Labrador make up a size similar to that of Pennsylvania.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Pennsylvania from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Pennsylvania. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: 50% of the United Kingdom is similar to the size of Pennsylvania.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Pennsylvania, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Pennsylvania you can start by comparing moving quotes here.