Indiana to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 513 mile interstate move from Indiana to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like flat landscape vs scenic mountains), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh Steak Salad
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 9.96% more expensive than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Indiana to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Indiana to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Pennsylvania
- Flat landscape
- Limited nightlife
- Harsh winters
- Scenic mountains
- Vibrant cities
- Moderate climate
- Higher living expenses
- More traffic
- More crowded
- Lower cost of living
- Rural charm
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Indiana to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to flat landscape and hello to scenic mountains
- Look forward to moving away from limited nightlife and moving to Pennsylvania with vibrant cities
- Swap the harsh winters of Indiana for the moderate climate in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Indiana to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Indiana to live with higher living expenses in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of rural charm and have to settle with the con of more traffic
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to being more crowded in Pennsylvania
Indiana vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Pittsburgh Steak Salad |
Most popular street food item | Elephant Ears | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Grain Bowls | Mushroom 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 Indiana to Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Elephant Ears, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh Steak Salad and Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Blue Ribbon Cafe and Bakery, and The Cookie Dough Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Geno's Steaks, and Primanti Bros.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Indiana | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, family-friendly | Historic details, proximity to amenities |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and family-friendly features, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight elements like historic details and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 10% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased 43%, compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 9.96% more expensive than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Tornados, Floods | Floods, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 64Β°F | 83Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 18Β°F | 33Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22" | 38" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Indiana to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Indiana.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential floods and snowstorms in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 2 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be used the same in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Indiana | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 3.07%-3.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 1.58% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.00% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 8% more than those in Indiana
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% to 3.99% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to low in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Indiana | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas | Mixed, with urban areas leaning liberal |
Religion | Protestant, with significant Catholic community | Primarily Catholic, with significant Protestant presence |
- Indiana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic with a significant Protestant presence
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant with a significant Catholic community
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Indiana | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City |
Top 3 Middle Schools | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City |
Top 3 High School Schools | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City |
Top 3 private high schools | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City | School 1 City; School 2 City; School 3 City |
Top 3 School Districts | District 1 City; District 2 City; District 3 City | District 1 City; District 2 City; District 3 City |
How Much Do Indiana to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 513 miles from Indiana to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,493 | 300 ft3 | $4.98 |
1 Bedroom | $2,217 | 450 ft3 | $4.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,658 | 750 ft3 | $4.88 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,310 | 1100 ft3 | $4.83 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,644 | 1600 ft3 | $4.78 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,510 | 1800 ft3 | $4.73 |
Top Indiana to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Indiana to Pennsylvania