Ohio to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 351 mile interstate move from Ohio to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like flatter landscapes vs mountain scenery), food & health (like Buckeye candies vs Philly cheesesteak), real estate & housing (colonial, 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 Buckeye candies and Cincinnati chili, but get your taste buds ready for Philly cheesesteak & Pittsburgh steak salad
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 2.51% more expensive than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Ohio to Pennsylvania movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Top Ohio to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Ohio to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Moving

Blue Men Moving LLC
Ohio to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania
- Flatter landscapes
- Far from East Coast
- Fewer high-elevation hikes
- Fewer ski options
- Smaller transit networks
- Fewer Amtrak routes
- Fewer world-class museums
- Less colonial history
- Limited mountain towns
- Lake-effect snow belts
- Mountain scenery
- Closer to East Coast
- Higher-elevation hikes
- More ski areas
- Larger transit systems
- More Amtrak routes
- Renowned museums
- Abundant colonial history
- Charming mountain towns
- Less lake-effect snow
- Higher housing costs
- Costly turnpike tolls
- Pricier car insurance
- Annual vehicle inspection
- Higher parking costs
- Heavier urban traffic
- Mountain driving conditions
- Higher in-state tuition
- Denser urban living
- More toll bridges
- Lower housing costs
- Fewer toll roads
- Cheaper car insurance
- No annual safety inspection
- Easier parking
- Less congestion
- Gentler driving terrain
- Lower in-state tuition
- Lower population density
- Fewer toll bridges
Pros of moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to flatter landscapes and hello to mountain scenery
- Look forward to moving away from the East Coast and moving to Pennsylvania with its proximity to the East Coast
- Swap the fewer high-elevation hikes of Ohio for higher-elevation hikes in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for more ski areas in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower housing costs in Ohio to live with higher housing costs in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of fewer toll roads and have to settle for the con of costly turnpike tolls
- Time to bid farewell to cheaper car insurance and get used to pricier car insurance in Pennsylvania
- Swap no annual safety inspection for an annual vehicle inspection
Ohio vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Buckeye candies | Philly cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Cincinnati chili | Pittsburgh steak salad |
Most popular street food item | Polish Boy | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Black bean burgers | Seitan cheesesteaks |
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 Ohio to Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Buckeye candies of Ohio for the equally delicious Philly cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Cincinnati chili and sumptuous Polish Boy, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh steak salad and pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the black bean burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the seitan cheesesteaks of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Slyman's Deli, Schmidt's Sausage Haus, and The Pineapple Club. 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, Geno's Steaks, and Reading Terminal Market.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania, compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Ohio | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | "Spacious backyard, updated kitchen" | "Hardwood floors, close to public transportation" |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference 'spacious backyards and updated kitchens,' Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like 'hardwood floors and proximity to public transportation.'
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Ohio.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Ohio.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Ohio.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 2.51% more expensive than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Ohio | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36/20 | 33/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 38 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 2% more sunshine days than Ohio.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes, floods, and winter storms in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 2 degrees warmer than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Ohio | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.99% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.56% | 1.46% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.17% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Healthcare, Education, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Considerable |
Poverty | Notable | Manageable |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 9% more than in Ohio
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Ohio
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 3.99% in OH
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is considerable compared to moderate in Ohio
- The poverty level is manageable in Pennsylvania compared to notable in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Ohio and low in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Ohio | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State | Swing State |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural influences | Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean Republican |
Religion | Christianity predominant | Christianity predominant, with notable Catholic and Protestant communities |
- Ohio tends to lean swing State in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as swing State
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with notable Catholic and Protestant communities
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Ohio | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Ohio State University Columbus; Miami University Oxford; University of Cincinnati Cincinnati | Pennsylvania State University University Park; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh; Temple University Philadelphia |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Indian Run Elementary School Dublin; Wyoming City Schools Wyoming; Bexley Elementary Bexley | Albert M. Greenfield School Philadelphia; Penn Alexander School Philadelphia; Peters Township Elementary School McMurray |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Solon Middle School Solon; Findlay Middle School Findlay; Orchard Middle School Solon | Strath Haven Middle School Wallingford; Fox Chapel Area Middle School Pittsburgh; Neshannock Memorial School New Castle |
Top 3 High Schools | Wyoming High School Cincinnati; Indian Hill High School Cincinnati; Dublin Jerome High School Dublin | Julia R. Masterman School Philadelphia; Conestoga High School Berwyn; Radnor High School Radnor |
Top 3 private high schools | University School Hunting Valley; Cincinnati Country Day School Cincinnati; Hathaway Brown School Shaker Heights | Germantown Friends School Philadelphia; The Episcopal Academy Newtown Square; The Haverford School Haverford |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Columbus School for Girls Columbus; Laurel School Shaker Heights; Seven Hills School Cincinnati | The Kiski School Saltsburg; Shady Side Academy Pittsburgh; Sewickley Academy Sewickley |
Top 3 School Districts | Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Cincinnati; Solon City School District Solon; Dublin City School District Dublin | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Wayne; Radnor Township School District Radnor; Lower Merion School District Ardmore |
How Much Do Ohio to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 351 miles from Ohio 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 | $1,401 | 300 ft3 | $4.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,080 | 450 ft3 | $4.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,429 | 750 ft3 | $4.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,974 | 1100 ft3 | $4.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,155 | 1600 ft3 | $4.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,959 | 1800 ft3 | $4.42 |