Pennsylvania to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 2,161 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (colonial, farmhouse vs spanish colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 65% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Arizona is 28.97% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Arizona will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Pennsylvania vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Soft Pretzel | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | Vegan Tacos |
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 Pennsylvania to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Soft Pretzel, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Reading Terminal Market, and Zahav. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Elote Cafe, Pizzeria Bianco, and FnB.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Arizona
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Farmhouse | Spanish Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite Countertops | Outdoor living spaces, Solar panels |
- The Colonial and Farmhouse architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor living spaces and solar panels.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arizona is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Arizona housing costs are 65% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Arizona is 28.97% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Arizona
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Flooding | Wildfires, Dust Storms |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Varies, Poor in Urban Areas |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33Β°F / 20Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 0.3 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Arizona. Arizona gets 67% more sunny days than Pennsylvania.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and dust storms in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 19 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows in Arizona are 26 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 29 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Arizona
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 2.59% to 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.50% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 5.60% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare | Healthcare, Retail, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Lower | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 4% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Arizona will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% to 4.50% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is higher in Arizona compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Pennsylvania and higher in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Arizona
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Democratic in urban areas | Mixed; historically Republican, but recent trends show a shift towards Democratic |
Local Politics | Focus on industrial, economic growth and education | Emphasis on immigration policies, water resource management |
Religion | Christianity dominant, with a significant Catholic population | Diverse religious landscape, Christianity predominant |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in urban areas in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and historically Republican, but recent trends show a shift towards Democratic
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, with Christianity predominant
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant, with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Arizona
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Whitemarsh Elementary (Conshohocken) Hillside Elementary School (Berwyn) | Basis Scottsdale Primary East (Scottsdale) Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Archway Classical Academy Lincoln (Phoenix) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Julia R. Masterman School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square) | Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Peoria (Peoria) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) Basis Peoria (Peoria) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Agnes Irwin School (Rosemont) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) North Phoenix Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Scottsdale Unified District Chandler Unified District Catalina Foothills Unified District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 2,161 miles from Pennsylvania to Arizona will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,428 | 300 ft3 | $8.09 |
1 Bedroom | $3,619 | 450 ft3 | $8.04 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,994 | 750 ft3 | $7.99 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,736 | 1100 ft3 | $7.94 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,627 | 1600 ft3 | $7.89 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,116 | 1800 ft3 | $7.84 |
Top Pennsylvania to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Arizona