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Pennsylvania to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 278 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited public transit vs extensive subway system), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Bagels and Lox), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs art deco, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels and Lox & Pastrami on Rye
  • New York housing costs are 76% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
  • Rent in New York is 68.39% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
  • Moving from Pennsylvania to New York will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Pennsylvania to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Pennsylvania to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to New York

ConsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Limited public transit
  • Fewer dining options
  • Slower pace of life
  • Less cultural offerings
  • Limited job market
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Extensive subway system
  • Culinary diversity
  • Vibrant city life
  • Broadway shows
  • Career opportunities

New York iconNew York
  • Higher living expenses
  • Dense population
  • Traffic congestion
  • Limited green spaces
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less crowded
  • Easier commutes
  • Access to rural areas
  • Local charm

Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to New York

  • Say goodbye to limited public transit and hello to an extensive subway system
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer dining options and moving to New York with culinary diversity
  • Swap the slower pace of life in Pennsylvania for vibrant city life in New York
  • Get ready for Broadway shows in New York

Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Pennsylvania to live with higher living expenses in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less crowded environments and have to settle with the con of a dense population
  • Time to bid farewell to easier commutes and get used to traffic congestion in New York
  • Swap access to rural areas for limited green spaces

Pennsylvania vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonPennsylvaniaNew York
Most iconic local food itemPhilly CheesesteakBagels and Lox
Most popular meat dishPork and SauerkrautPastrami on Rye
Most popular street food itemPretzelsHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodMushroom CheesesteakVegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zahav
  • Geno's Steaks
  • The French Laundry
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
  • Per Se
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 New York, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Bagels and Lox of New York. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, New York residents know they have tasty Pastrami on Rye and Hot Dogs 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 Vegan Pizza of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Zahav, Geno's Steaks, and The French Laundry. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and New York

ComparisonPennsylvaniaNew York
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanArt Deco, Modern
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 listingGarages, backyardsRooftop access, proximity to public transport
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Art Deco and Modern architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference garages and backyards, New York real estate listings often highlight features like rooftop access and proximity to public transport.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New York is more walkable than Pennsylvania.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New York is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
  • New York housing costs are 76% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Pennsylvania’s $261,312.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
  • Rent in New York is 68.39% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and New York

ComparisonPennsylvaniaNew York
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, TornadoesFloods, Hurricanes
Air QualityModerateModerate to Poor (urban areas)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6282/65
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)33/1832/18
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4249.9
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3841
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to New York. New York gets 25% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
  • New York has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential floods and hurricanes in New York.
  • The average summer high temperature in New York is 3 degrees colder than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York. New York receives 7.9 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and New York

ComparisonPennsylvaniaNew York
Avg. Household Income$71,798$79,557
Cost of Living Index99.7102.8
State Income Tax3.07%4% - 10.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.35%1.68%
Avg. Sales Tax6.34%8.52%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, EducationFinance, Healthcare, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyAverageLow
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 11% more than those in Pennsylvania
  • The COLI in New York is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
  • The state income tax in NY is 4% - 10.9% compared to 3.07% in PA
  • The affluence in New York is high compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
  • The poverty level is low in New York compared to average poverty in Pennsylvania
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and high in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. New York

ComparisonPennsylvaniaNew York
Political Make-upModerately DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsMixed, varies by regionLiberal, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristian (Catholic and Protestant), with Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu communitiesChristian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, with significant Buddhist and Hindu communities
  • Pennsylvania tends to lean moderately Democratic in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • New York's religious environment can be described as Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, and with significant Buddhist and Hindu communities
  • Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant), with Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu communities

Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to New York

ComparisonPennsylvaniaNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Penn State University
University of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University
New York University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsAdlai Stevenson Elementary (Pittsburgh)
Hill House Passport Academy (Pittsburgh)
Infinity Charter School (Harrisburg)
Special Music School (New York)
Anderson School (New York)
NEST+m (New York)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Environmental Charter School (Pittsburgh)
North Allegheny Intermediate (Pittsburgh)
Rye Country Day School (Rye)
Collegiate School (New York)
The Speyer Legacy School (New York)
Top 3 High SchoolsJulia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia)
Downingtown STEM Academy (Downingtown)
Central High School (Philadelphia)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Stuyvesant High School (New York)
Staten Island Technical High School (Staten Island)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr)
The Hill School (Pottstown)
Mercersburg Academy (Mercersburg)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Trinity School (New York)
Collegiate School (New York)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsShady Side Academy (Pittsburgh)
Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia)
Friends' Central School (Wynnewood)
Collegiate School (New York)
Trinity School (New York)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Top 3 School DistrictsLower Merion School District (Ardmore)
Tredyffrin-Easttown School District (Wayne)
Radnor Township School District (Radnor)
Great Neck Public Schools (Great Neck)
Scarsdale Union Free School District (Scarsdale)
Syosset Central School District (Syosset)

How Much Do Pennsylvania to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 278 miles from Pennsylvania to New York will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-5.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,156300 ft3$3.85
1 Bedroom$1,715450 ft3$3.81
2 Bedrooms$2,826750 ft3$3.77
3 Bedrooms$4,0991100 ft3$3.73
4 Bedrooms$5,8941600 ft3$3.68
5+ Bedrooms$6,5541800 ft3$3.64

Top Pennsylvania to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to New York

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details