Pennsylvania to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 901 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs St. Louis Style Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial vs 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 and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis Style Ribs & Burnt Ends
- Missouri housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Missouri is 10.05% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Missouri will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Missouri movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Missouri
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Packed urban areas
- Costly housing
- Heavy traffic
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Spacious living
- Affordable homes
- Less congestion
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer educational options
- Limited cultural events
- Less variety
- Sparser public transport
- Rich history
- Renowned universities
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Abundant attractions
- Ample public transit
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Missouri
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Missouri with lower taxes
- Swap the packed urban areas of Pennsylvania for spacious living in Missouri
- Get ready for affordable homes in Missouri
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical sites in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned universities and have to settle for the con of fewer educational options
- Time to bid farewell to the vibrant cultural scene and get used to limited cultural events in Missouri
- Swap abundant attractions for less variety
Pennsylvania vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | St. Louis Style Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Burnt Ends |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | Cauliflower Wings |
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious St. Louis Style Ribs of Missouri. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut & sumptuous Pretzels, Missouri residents know they have tasty Burnt Ends and Toasted Ravioli 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 Cauliflower Wings of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Zahav, Primanti Bros., and Reading Terminal Market. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, and Blue Owl Bakery.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Missouri, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Missouri
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic details, proximity to amenities | Spacious yards, family-friendly neighborhoods |
- The Colonial architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings, which commonly reference historic details and proximity to amenities, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and family-friendly neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Missouri is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Missouri is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Missouri has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Missouri housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Missouri is 10.05% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Missouri
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 89Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33Β°F / 19Β°F | 40Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38" | 20" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Missouri. Missouri gets 15% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Missouri 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 Missouri.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 4 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Missouri. Missouri receives 1 fewer inch of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Missouri
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.07 | 5.4 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58 | 0.97 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34 | 8.19 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Healthcare, Retail, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Less Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 10% less than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Missouri is 8% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in MO is 5.4% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Missouri is modest compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Missouri compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Pennsylvania and less noticeable in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Missouri
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, tendency towards Democratic in recent elections | Leans Republican, especially in rural areas |
Local Politics | Diverse, with strong urban-rural divide | Conservative outside of major cities like St. Louis and Kansas City |
Religion | Christian majority, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Buddist communities | Christian majority, predominantly Protestant, with smaller Catholic and Mormon communities |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing State, with a tendency towards Democratic in its political climate
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican, especially in rural areas
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Protestant, with smaller Catholic and Mormon communities
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist communities
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Missouri
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Bradford Heights Elementary School (Downingtown) South Side Elementary School (Harrisburg) | Clayton School District Elementary Schools (Clayton) Kirkwood R-VII School District Elementary Schools (Kirkwood) Wilson's Creek 5-6 Intermediate School (Springfield) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) | Ladue Middle School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) | Ladue Horton Watkins High School (St. Louis) Clayton High School (Clayton) Kirkwood Senior High School (Kirkwood) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) Whitfield School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) The Barstow School (Kansas City) Crossroads College Preparatory School (St. Louis) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Clayton School District Kirkwood R-VII School District Ladue School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 901 miles from Pennsylvania to Missouri will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,713 | 300 ft3 | $5.71 |
1 Bedroom | $2,547 | 450 ft3 | $5.66 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,208 | 750 ft3 | $5.61 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,117 | 1100 ft3 | $5.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,818 | 1600 ft3 | $5.51 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,830 | 1800 ft3 | $5.46 |
Top Pennsylvania to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Missouri