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Indiana to Pennsylvania Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Flat landscape
  • Limited nightlife
  • Harsh winters
ProsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Scenic mountains
  • Vibrant cities
  • Moderate climate

Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Higher living expenses
  • More traffic
  • More crowded
Indiana iconIndiana
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaPennsylvania
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichPhilly Cheesesteak
Most popular meat dishFried ChickenPittsburgh Steak Salad
Most popular street food itemElephant EarsPretzels
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlsMushroom Cheesesteak
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Blue Ribbon Cafe & Bakery
  • The Cookie Dough Cafe
  • Reading Terminal Market
  • Geno's Steaks
  • Primanti Bros.
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonIndianaPennsylvania
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanColonial, Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, family-friendlyHistoric 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 Indiana’s $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

ComparisonIndianaPennsylvania
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornados, FloodsFloods, Snowstorms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F83Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 18Β°F33Β°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

ComparisonIndianaPennsylvania
Avg. Household Income$66,785$71,798
Cost of Living Index92.9599.7
State Income Tax3.23%3.07%-3.99%
Avg. Property Tax0.87%1.58%
Avg. Sales Tax7.00%6.34%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareHealthcare, Education, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaPennsylvania
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanSwing State
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areasMixed, with urban areas leaning liberal
ReligionProtestant, with significant Catholic communityPrimarily 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

ComparisonIndianaPennsylvania
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 SchoolsSchool 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
School 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSchool 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
School 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
Top 3 High School SchoolsSchool 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
School 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
Top 3 private high schoolsSchool 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
School 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSchool 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
School 1
City; School 2
City; School 3
City
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,493300 ft3$4.98
1 Bedroom$2,217450 ft3$4.93
2 Bedrooms$3,658750 ft3$4.88
3 Bedrooms$5,3101100 ft3$4.83
4 Bedrooms$7,6441600 ft3$4.78
5+ Bedrooms$8,5101800 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.

TOP PICK
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

Best moving company overall for Indiana to Pennsylvania

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
EverSafe Moving Co. featured image

EverSafe Moving Co.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details