Idaho to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 2,290 mile interstate move from Idaho to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs moderate climate), food & health (like Idaho potatoes vs Philly cheesesteak), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Philly cheesesteak & Pittsburgh steak salad
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 8.14% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Idaho to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Pennsylvania
- Long winters
- Limited job market
- Fewer cultural activities
- Saturation of rural areas
- Moderate climate
- Vibrant economy
- Rich history and museums
- Urban amenities
- Higher expenses
- Less natural scenery
- Dense urban areas
- Fast-paced living
- Low cost of living
- Outdoor recreation
- Smaller population
- Tranquil lifestyle
Pros of moving from Idaho to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to long winters and hello to a moderate climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Pennsylvania with a vibrant economy
- Swap the fewer cultural activities of Idaho for rich history and museums in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for urban amenities in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Idaho to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Idaho to live with higher expenses in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor recreation and have to settle with the con of less natural scenery
- Time to bid farewell to a smaller population and get used to dense urban areas in Pennsylvania
- Swap a tranquil lifestyle for fast-paced living
Idaho vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho potatoes | Philly cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Pittsburgh steak salad |
Most popular street food item | Finger steaks | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil stew | Mushroom soup |
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 Idaho to Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Idaho potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Philly cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful trout and sumptuous finger steaks, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh steak salad and pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the lentil stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the mushroom soup of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, Troutner, and Fork. 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 Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Idaho | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lots, mountain views | Historic details, proximity to amenities |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious lots and mountain views, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 8.14% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Idaho | 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, Earthquakes | Flooding, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 50Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°F / 14Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13.6" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 38" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential flooding and snowstorms in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is the same as in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 28.4 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Idaho | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 6.5 | 3.07 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.75 | 1.58 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0 | 6.34 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 1% less than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07 compared to 6.5 in ID
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is low in Pennsylvania compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Idaho | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative; Tends to vote Republican | Moderate Swing State; Mix of Republican and Democratic |
Local Politics | Strong support for state rights and libertarian principles | Varies widely; urban areas lean Democratic, while rural areas often support Republican policies |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a significant Mormon population | Mostly Christian, with diverse denominations; higher Catholic presence |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative and tends to vote Republican in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a moderate swing state and has a mix of Republican and Democratic voters
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as mostly Christian with diverse denominations and a higher Catholic presence
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with a significant Mormon population
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Idaho | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School - Boise Andrus Elementary School - Boise Ponderosa Elementary School - Meridian | Walton Farm Elementary School - North Wales Howard R. Yocum Elementary School - Maple Shade South Fayette Township Elementary School - McDonald |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School - Eagle Riverstone International School - Boise Heritage Middle School - Meridian | Radnor Middle School - Wayne Julia R. Masterman Secondary School - Philadelphia Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School - Berwyn |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School - Boise Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene Renaissance High School - Meridian | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School - Philadelphia Conestoga Senior High School - Berwyn Downingtown STEM Academy - Downingtown |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School - Meridian Bishop Kelly High School - Boise Coeur d'Alene Christian School - Coeur d'Alene | The Haverford School - Haverford Shady Side Academy - Pittsburgh The Baldwin School - Bryn Mawr |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Riverstone International School - Boise The Ambrose School - Meridian Coeur d'Alene Christian School - Coeur d'Alene | Germantown Friends School - Philadelphia Shady Side Academy - Pittsburgh The Hill School - Pottstown |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise Independent District Blaine County District Moscow School District | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Lower Merion School District Radnor Township School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 2,290 miles from Idaho to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,501 | 300 ft3 | $8.34 |
1 Bedroom | $3,729 | 450 ft3 | $8.29 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,177 | 750 ft3 | $8.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,004 | 1100 ft3 | $8.19 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,017 | 1600 ft3 | $8.14 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,554 | 1800 ft3 | $8.09 |
Top Idaho to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Idaho to Pennsylvania