Pennsylvania to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 2,289 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, federal vs craftsman, 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 Pittsburgh-style steak, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Idaho rainbow trout
- Idaho housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Idaho is 8.86% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Idaho movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Top Pennsylvania to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Idaho

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

EverSafe Moving Co.
Pennsylvania to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho
- High taxes
- Humid summers
- Heavy traffic
- Expensive housing
- Urban sprawl
- Lower taxes
- Dry climate
- Less congestion
- Affordable housing
- Open spaces
- Less historical depth
- Fewer cultural venues
- Fewer higher education choices
- Smaller community events
- Limited cuisine variety
- Rich history
- Vibrant art scene
- Top universities
- Renowned festivals
- Diverse dining options
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from humid summers and moving to Idaho with a dry climate
- Swap the heavy traffic of Pennsylvania for less congestion in Idaho
- Get ready for affordable housing in Idaho
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich history in Pennsylvania to live with less historical depth in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant art scene and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural venues
- Time to bid farewell to top universities and get used to fewer higher education choices in Idaho
- Swap renowned festivals for smaller community events
Pennsylvania vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Pittsburgh-style steak | Idaho rainbow trout |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | Quinoa Salad |
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pittsburgh-style steak and sumptuous Pretzels, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho rainbow trout and Finger Steaks 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 Quinoa Salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Geno's Steaks, Primanti Bros., and Zahav. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, State and Lemp, and Fork.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Idaho
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Federal | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite countertops | Open floor plans, Large lots |
- The Colonial and Federal architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings, which commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like open floor plans and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Idaho housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased 69% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Idaho is 8.86% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Idaho
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Storms, Floods | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 85/47 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36/20 | 34/15 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Idaho. Idaho gets 15% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is the same as in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Idaho
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 6.03% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 1% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Idaho is 8% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in Idaho is 6.925% compared to 3.07% in Pennsylvania
- The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Idaho
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural divide impacts politics | Rural with conservative values dominating |
Religion | Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Diverse religious communities | Christian (Predominantly Protestant), Less religious diversity |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as Christian (predominantly Protestant) with less religious diversity
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant) with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Idaho
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Albert M. Greenfield School (Philadelphia) Marshall School (Harrisburg) | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) McSorley Elementary School (Lewiston) Christine Donnell School of the Arts (Meridian) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lakeside Middle School (Plummer) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) Germantown Academy (Fort Washington) | The Sage School (Hailey) Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,289 miles from Pennsylvania to Idaho will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,500 | 300 ft3 | $8.33 |
1 Bedroom | $3,728 | 450 ft3 | $8.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,175 | 750 ft3 | $8.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,002 | 1100 ft3 | $8.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,014 | 1600 ft3 | $8.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,551 | 1800 ft3 | $8.08 |