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Pennsylvania to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 1,925 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like overcrowded cities vs open spaces), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, log cabin), 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 Huckleberry Pie & Bison Burger
  • Montana housing costs are 75% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
  • Rent in Montana is 5.03% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
  • Moving from Pennsylvania to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Montana movers is Pittsburgh Moving

Pennsylvania to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Montana

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Overcrowded cities
  • High cost of living
  • Tough winters
  • Heavy traffic
  • Limited outdoor activities
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Open spaces
  • Affordable living
  • Mild weather
  • Less congestion
  • Outdoor adventures

Montana iconMontana
  • Less historical sites
  • Lesser diversity
  • Fewer job markets
  • Quieter lifestyle
  • Limited transit options
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Rich history
  • Diverse culture
  • Abundant job opportunities
  • Vibrant city life
  • Public transportation

Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Montana

  • Say goodbye to overcrowded cities and hello to open spaces
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Montana with affordable living
  • Swap the tough winters of Pennsylvania for mild weather in Montana
  • Get ready for less congestion in Montana

Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical sites in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of lesser diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to abundant job opportunities and get used to fewer job markets in Montana
  • Swap vibrant city life for a quieter lifestyle

Pennsylvania vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMontana
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishPork and SauerkrautBison Burger
Most popular street food itemPretzelsElk Sausages
Most popular vegan foodMushroom SoupQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Cattleman's Cut Steakhouse
  • Huckleberry's Jam House
  • The Last Best Plates
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Pennsylvania to Montana, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Burger and Elk Sausages 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 Quinoa Salad of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Vetri Cucina. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Cattleman's Cut Steakhouse, Huckleberry's Jam House, and The Last Best Plates.

When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Montana

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, Log Cabin
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingHardwood floors, Granite countertopsMountain views, Acreage
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Log Cabin architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and acreage.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
  • Montana housing costs are 75% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Pennsylvania’s $261,312.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
  • Rent in Montana is 5.03% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Montana

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMontana
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersFloods, SnowstormsWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVaries (Good to Moderate)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6282/49
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37/2134/15
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4215
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3855
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Montana. Montana gets 15% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Montana.
  • The average summer high temperature in Montana is 3 degrees colder than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Montana

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMontana
Avg. Household Income$71,798$67,631
Cost of Living Index99.799.4
State Income Tax3.076.9
Avg. Property Tax1.500.85
Avg. Sales Tax6.340.00
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, FinanceAgriculture, Tourism, Wood Products
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessLowerModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 6% less than in Pennsylvania
  • The COLI in Montana will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
  • The state income tax in MT is 6.9 compared to 3.07 in PA
  • The affluence in Montana is modest compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
  • The poverty level is higher in Montana compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
  • In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Pennsylvania and moderate in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Montana

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMontana
Political Make-upSwing StateLean Conservative
Local Politicsurban areas lean more DemocraticRepublican strongholds in rural areas
ReligionChristianity dominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity predominant, less religious diversity
  • Pennsylvania tends to lean swing State in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as lean Conservative
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with less religious diversity
  • Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Montana

ComparisonPennsylvaniaMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Pennsylvania
Penn State University
Temple University
University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsGilbertsville Elementary
Blue Bell Elementary
Bradford Heights Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary
Cold Springs Elementary
Chief Charlo Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsHaverford Middle School
Radnor Middle School
Charles F. Patton Middle School
Sacajawea Middle School
Chief Joseph Middle School
East Middle School
Top 3 High SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School
Conestoga High School
Central High School
Bozeman High School
Hellgate High School
Sentinel High School
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Haverford School
The Baldwin School
Episcopal Academy
Carroll College High School
Mount Ellis Academy
Great Falls Central Catholic High School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Agnes Irwin School
Germantown Friends School
Friends' Central School
Missoula International School
Valley Christian School
Petra Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsTredyffrin-Easttown School District
Radnor Township School District
Lower Merion School District
Bozeman High School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools

How Much Do Pennsylvania to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,925 miles from Pennsylvania to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,294300 ft3$7.65
1 Bedroom$3,418450 ft3$7.60
2 Bedrooms$5,660750 ft3$7.55
3 Bedrooms$8,2461100 ft3$7.50
4 Bedrooms$11,9141600 ft3$7.45
5+ Bedrooms$13,3131800 ft3$7.40

Top Pennsylvania to Montana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Montana

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
EverSafe Moving Co. featured image

EverSafe Moving Co.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC featured image

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details

Philadelphia to Montana

Pittsburgh to Montana