Pennsylvania to Georgia Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 852 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Georgia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Georgia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Peach Cobbler), real estate & housing (colonial and dutch vs antebellum and craftsman), 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 Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Peach Cobbler & Fried Chicken
- Georgia housing costs are 25% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Georgia is 22.35% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Georgia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Georgia movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Georgia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Georgia
- Cold winters
- High taxes
- Expensive housing
- Heavily congested traffic
- Mild winters
- Lower taxes
- Affordable housing
- Improving infrastructure
- Less historical charm
- Humidity in summer
- Competitive job scene
- Insects and pests
- Rich history
- Four distinct seasons
- Robust job market
- Outdoor recreation
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Georgia
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Georgia with lower taxes
- Swap the expensive housing of Pennsylvania for affordable housing in Georgia
- Get ready for improving infrastructure in Georgia
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Georgia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with less historical charm in Georgia
- You'll lose out on the pro of four distinct seasons and have to settle for the con of humidity in summer
- Time to bid farewell to a robust job market and get used to a competitive job scene in Georgia
- Swap outdoor recreation for insects and pests
Pennsylvania vs. Georgia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Peach Cobbler |
Most popular meat dish | Pork Roll | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | Collard Greens |
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 Georgia, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Peach Cobbler of Georgia. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork Roll and sumptuous Pretzels, Georgia residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens of Georgia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Primanti Bros. After the boxes are unpacked in Georgia, don't wait too long before making your way to Georgia's acclaimed eateries like The Varsity, The Grey, and Mary Mac's Tea Room.
When comparing lifestyles, Georgia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Georgia compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Georgia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Georgia
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial and Dutch | Antebellum and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, historic charm | Large yards, modern kitchens |
- The Colonial and Dutch architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Georgia.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and historic charm, Georgia real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and modern kitchens.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Georgia is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Georgia is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Georgia has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Georgia housing costs are 25% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $327,174 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Georgia have increased by 64% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Georgia is 22.35% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Georgia
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Georgia |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 89/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37/20 | 58/36 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Georgia gets 21% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Georgia has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Georgia is 4 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Georgia. Georgia receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Georgia
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $72,837 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 93.35 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 1% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.92% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 7.31% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Education | Aerospace, Agriculture, Film |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Georgia tend to earn about 1% more than those in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Georgia will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in GA is 1% to 5.75% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Georgia is moderate compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Georgia compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and low in Georgia
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Georgia
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a mix of liberal and conservative areas | Traditionally conservative, but recent trends show increasing competitiveness in elections |
Local Politics | Diverse, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural areas predominantly Republican | Varies widely, with urban centers like Atlanta being heavily Democratic and rural regions leaning Republican |
Religion | Mix of Protestant and Catholic, with a notable presence of Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths | Strongly Protestant, particularly Baptist, with growing numbers of other faith communities |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing state with a mix of liberal and conservative areas in its political climate
- Georgia, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally conservative but recent trends show increasing competitiveness in elections
- Georgia's religious environment can be described as strongly Protestant, particularly Baptist, with growing numbers of other faith communities
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Protestant and Catholic, with a notable presence of Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Georgia
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Temple University | University of Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Whitemarsh Elementary (Plymouth Meeting) Hillside Elementary School (Berwyn) | Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy (Columbus) Oglethorpe Charter School (Savannah) Lake Oconee Academy (Greensboro) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) | Dodgen Middle School (Marietta) South Forsyth Middle School (Cumming) Riverwatch Middle School (Suwanee) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Northview High School (Johns Creek) Walton High School (Marietta) Columbus High School (Columbus) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) Lovett School (Atlanta) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) | The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Lovett School (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Forsyth County Schools Buford City Schools Decatur City Schools |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Georgia Movers Cost?
Moving 852 miles from Pennsylvania to Georgia 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 | $1,433 | 300 ft3 | $4.78 |
1 Bedroom | $2,130 | 450 ft3 | $4.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,518 | 750 ft3 | $4.69 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,113 | 1100 ft3 | $4.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,369 | 1600 ft3 | $4.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,214 | 1800 ft3 | $4.56 |
Top Pennsylvania to Georgia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Georgia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Georgia