Georgia to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 850 mile interstate move from Georgia to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Georgia vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like intense heat vs milder summers), food & health (like Peach cobbler vs Philly cheesesteak), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs colonial, dutch colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Peach cobbler and Fried chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Philly cheesesteak & Pork and sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in Georgia
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 18.27% more affordable than in Georgia
- Moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Georgia to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Georgia to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania
- Intense heat
- Heavy traffic
- Pollen allergies
- Limited snowfall
- Milder summers
- Efficient public transit
- Fewer allergens
- Winter activities
- Colder winters
- Higher taxes
- Higher living costs
- No nearby beaches
- Southern hospitality
- Lower taxes
- Rich history
- Beach proximity
Pros of moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to intense heat and hello to milder summers
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Pennsylvania with efficient public transit
- Swap the pollen allergies of Georgia for fewer allergens in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for winter activities in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Georgia to live with colder winters in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower taxes and have to settle for the con of higher taxes
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to higher living costs in Pennsylvania
- Swap beach proximity for no nearby beaches
Georgia vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Georgia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Peach cobbler | Philly cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Fried chicken | Pork and sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Pimento cheese sandwich | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Collard greens | Mushroom Philly cheesesteak |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Georgia to Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic peach cobbler of Georgia for the equally delicious Philly cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Georgia rave about their flavorful fried chicken and sumptuous pimento cheese sandwich, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty pork and sauerkraut and pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the collard greens 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 Georgia eateries like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q. 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, Reading Terminal Market, and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Georgia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Georgia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Georgia and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Georgia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Colonial, Dutch Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, pools | Historic charm, proximity to parks |
- The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Georgia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Dutch Colonial architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Georgia's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and pools, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Georgia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Georgia.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Georgia.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in Georgia, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Georgiaβs $327,174.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 64% increase in Georgia.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 18.27% more affordable than in Georgia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Georgia and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Georgia | 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 | Hurricanes, Thunderstorms | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 52/34 | 38/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Georgia to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Georgia.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Georgia.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and thunderstorms in Georgia, 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 4 degrees colder than in Georgia.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees colder than they are in Georgia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Georgia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Georgia and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Georgia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,837 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 93.35 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.92% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Transportation, Aerospace | Manufacturing, Construction, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Rising | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 1% less than those in Georgia
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 7% higher than what you are used to living in Georgia
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 5.75% in GA
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is above average compared to moderate in Georgia
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to high in Georgia
- In terms of homelessness, it is rising in Georgia and stable in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Georgia vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Georgia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with recent shifts towards Democratic | Largely divided, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural areas leaning Republican |
Local Politics | Significant focus on social and economic issues | Emphasizes industrial, labor, and environmental concerns |
Religion | Strongly Christian, with a Baptist majority | Mixed, with larger Catholic and Protestant communities |
- Georgia tends to lean mixed, with recent shifts towards Democratic in its political climate.
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as largely divided, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural areas leaning Republican.
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as mixed, with larger Catholic and Protestant communities.
- Georgia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as strongly Christian, with a Baptist majority.
Education Guide When Moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Georgia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Georgia Georgia State University Georgia Tech | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Brandon Elementary School (Atlanta) Kittredge Magnet School (Atlanta) Riverside Elementary School (Suwanee) | Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Whitemarsh Elementary School (Conshohocken) Bradford Heights Elementary School (Downingtown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | South Forsyth Middle School (Cumming) Riverwatch Middle School (Suwanee) Dickerson Middle School (Marietta) | Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) |
Top 3 High Schools | Northview High School (Duluth) Lambert High School (Suwanee) Walton High School (Marietta) | Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Lovett School (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Lovett School (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 School Districts | Forsyth County Schools Fulton County Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do Georgia to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 850 miles from Georgia to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,432 | 300 ft3 | $4.77 |
1 Bedroom | $2,128 | 450 ft3 | $4.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,516 | 750 ft3 | $4.69 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,109 | 1100 ft3 | $4.64 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,364 | 1600 ft3 | $4.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,208 | 1800 ft3 | $4.56 |
Top Georgia to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Georgia to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Georgia to Pennsylvania