Pennsylvania to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 513 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs ranch, 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 Pittsburgh Hot Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie
- Indiana housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Indiana is 9.06% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Indiana movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Indiana
- High cost of living
- Uneven job market
- Traffic congestion
- Cold winters
- Affordable housing
- Diverse job opportunities
- Less traffic
- Milder winters
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer local eateries
- Flat terrain
- Far from major cities
- Rich history and culture
- Renowned food scene
- Scenic landscapes
- Proximity to NYC and DC
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Indiana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from the uneven job market and moving to Indiana with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the traffic congestion of Pennsylvania for less traffic in Indiana
- Get ready for milder winters in Indiana
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history and culture in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical sites in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a renowned food scene and have to settle with the con of fewer local eateries
- Time to bid farewell to scenic landscapes and get used to the flat terrain in Indiana
- Swap proximity to NYC and DC for being far from major cities
Pennsylvania vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Pittsburgh Hot Sausage | Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie |
Most popular street food item | Soft Pretzels | Deep-fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Philly | Seitan Wings |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pittsburgh Hot Sausage and sumptuous Soft Pretzels, Indiana residents know they have tasty Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie and Deep-fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Philly they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Indiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pittsburgh Public Market, and Zahav. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, The Tamale Place, and Bluebeard.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Indiana
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic details, Hardwood floors | Spacious yards, Modern updates |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference historic details and hardwood floors, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and modern updates.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Indiana is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Indiana is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Indiana has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Indiana housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased 54% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Indiana is 9.06% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Indiana
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 85/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37/20 | 34/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Indiana. Indiana gets 4% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Indiana 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 tornadoes and floods in Indiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Indiana is the same as in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Indiana. Indiana receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Indiana
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | Variable (3.23% Flat) |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.35% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Manufacturing, Finance | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 7% less than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Indiana will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in IN is variable at 3.23% flat compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Indiana is modest compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to moderate poverty in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and moderate in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Indiana
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Urban and Rural Policies | Primarily Conservative Policies |
Religion | Christianity Predominant, with Diverse Faiths Present | Primarily Christian, with <a href="https://www.in.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Fewer Religious Minorities</a> |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing state in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning conservative
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with <a href="https://www.in.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">fewer religious minorities</a>
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse faiths present
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Indiana
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University | Indiana University Purdue University University of Notre Dame |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Whitemarsh Elementary (Lafayette Hill) Hillside Elementary School (Berwyn) | Signature School (Evansville) West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School (West Lafayette) The Stanley Clark School (South Bend) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) | Northside Middle School (Columbus) Brownsburg West Middle School (Brownsburg) Fall Creek Valley Middle School (Indianapolis) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Signature School (Evansville) Carmel High School (Carmel) Fishers High School (Fishers) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Culver Academies (Culver) Park Tudor School (Indianapolis) Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) Mercersburg Academy (Mercersburg) | Traders Point Christian Academy (Whitestown) Heritage Christian School (Indianapolis) The International School (Indianapolis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Carmel Clay Schools Zionsville Community Schools Hamilton Southeastern Schools |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 513 miles from Pennsylvania to Indiana 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,493 | 300 ft3 | $4.98 |
1 Bedroom | $2,217 | 450 ft3 | $4.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,658 | 750 ft3 | $4.88 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,310 | 1100 ft3 | $4.83 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,644 | 1600 ft3 | $4.78 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,510 | 1800 ft3 | $4.73 |
Top Pennsylvania to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Indiana