Arizona to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 2,161 mile interstate move from Arizona to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like scorching summers vs milder temperatures), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (ranch, pueblo revival vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh-style steak
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 22.46% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to Pennsylvania movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Pennsylvania
- Scorching summers
- Limited green spaces
- Water scarcity
- Higher UV exposure
- Milder temperatures
- Lush landscapes
- Ample water resources
- Lower UV exposure
- Cloudier weather
- Few mountain ranges
- Higher living costs
- Less desert scenery
- Sunshine year-round
- Diverse landscapes
- Lower cost of living
- Desert beauty
Pros of moving from Arizona to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to scorching summers and hello to milder temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited green spaces and moving to Pennsylvania with lush landscapes
- Swap the water scarcity of Arizona for ample water resources in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for lower UV exposure in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Arizona to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunshine year-round in Arizona to live with cloudier weather in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse landscapes and have to settle for the con of few mountain ranges
- Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to higher living costs in Pennsylvania
- Swap desert beauty for less desert scenery
Arizona vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Pittsburgh-style steak |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Southwestern Quinoa Salad | Mushroom Philly Cheesesteak |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh-style steak and Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Southwestern Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durant's. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Primanti Bros., and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Arizona | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Pueblo Revival | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Swimming pools, scenic views | Hardwood floors, historic details |
- The Ranch and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference swimming pools and scenic views, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Pennsylvania is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased 43% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 22.46% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Arizona | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 106Β°F / 83Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 33Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 40% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 21 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 26 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 30 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Arizona | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% - 4.5% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 1.58% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.4% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Real Estate, Manufacturing, Health Services | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 4% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 2.59% - 4.5% in AZ
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arizona and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Arizona | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative with a significant progressive minority | Swing state with a mix of conservative and liberal areas |
Local Politics | Local government often leans Republican, urban areas more Democratic | Diverse local politics; urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas are more Republican |
Religion | Christianity predominant, but a growing number of non-religious residents | Historically strong Christian influence, with a diverse religious landscape |
- Arizona tends to lean moderately conservative with a significant progressive minority in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a mix of conservative and liberal areas
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as having a historically strong Christian influence and a diverse religious landscape
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, but with a growing number of non-religious residents
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Arizona | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cherokee Elementary School (Scottsdale) BASIS Chandler (Chandler) Manzanita School (Phoenix) | Adlai Stevenson School (Pittsburgh) Penn Alexander School (Philadelphia) Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children (Bala Cynwyd) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Paragon Science Academy (Chandler) BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Kyrene Altadena Middle School (Phoenix) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Fort Couch Middle School (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 High Schools | BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Chaparral High School (Scottsdale) | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Green Fields School (Tucson) | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Lower Merion School District Radnor Township School District |
How Much Do Arizona to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 2,161 miles from Arizona to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,428 | 300 ft3 | $8.09 |
1 Bedroom | $3,619 | 450 ft3 | $8.04 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,994 | 750 ft3 | $7.99 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,736 | 1100 ft3 | $7.94 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,627 | 1600 ft3 | $7.89 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,116 | 1800 ft3 | $7.84 |
Top Arizona to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Pennsylvania