Virginia to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 375 mile interstate move from Virginia to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Virginia Ham and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Virginia
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 18.93% more affordable than in Virginia
- Moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Virginia to Pennsylvania movers is ARS Movers
Virginia to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania
- High taxes
- Humid summers
- Traffic congestion
- Costly housing
- Busy lifestyle
- Lower taxes
- Cooler summers
- Less traffic
- Affordable homes
- Slower pace
- Less historical sites
- No beach access
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer landscapes
- Quieter cities
- Rich history
- Beach access
- Diverse culture
- Varied landscapes
- Bustling cities
Pros of moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from humid summers and moving to Pennsylvania with cooler summers
- Swap the traffic congestion of Virginia for less traffic in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for affordable homes in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle with the con of no beach access
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Pennsylvania
- Swap varied landscapes for fewer landscapes
Virginia vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Virginia Ham | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Food Truck Tacos | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Grain Bowls | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Virginia to Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Leaping Lizard CafΓ©, and Salty Oyster. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Primanti Bros.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to DC, open layouts | Historical features, nearby parks |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to DC and open layouts, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historical details and nearby parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Virginiaβs $385,780.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 18.93% more affordable than in Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86Β°F / 66Β°F | 83Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 48Β°F / 29Β°F | 37Β°F / 21Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 10-20" | 38" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 3 degrees colder than in Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $85,873 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.6 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.80% | 1.36% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.30% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Agriculture, Defense | Manufacturing, Mining, Agriculture |
Affluence | Affluent | Moderate |
Poverty | Lower | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 16% less than in Virginia
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 5.75% in VA
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to affluent in Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to lower in Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Virginia and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with notable shifts towards Democratic in recent years | Swing state with strong Democratic urban areas and Republican rural areas |
Local Politics | Diverse political landscape, local elections significantly influence state politics | Local politics vary significantly; urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean Republican |
Religion | Christianity dominates, with Evangelical Protestants being most prominent | Christianity is prevalent, Catholicism holds a significant presence |
- Virginia tends to lean swing state with notable shifts towards Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as swing state with strong Democratic urban areas and Republican rural areas
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as Christianity is prevalent and Catholicism holds a significant presence
- Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominates with Evangelical Protestants being most prominent
Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Virginia Virginia Tech James Madison University | Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Arlington Science Focus School Arlington; Stenwood Elementary School Vienna; Lucketts Elementary School Leesburg | Adlai Stevenson Elementary School Pittsburgh; Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School Philadelphia; Marshall Elementary School Wexford |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School Falls Church; Rocky Run Middle School Chantilly; Frost Middle School Fairfax | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School Philadelphia; Thomas Jefferson Middle School Pittsburgh; Welsh Valley Middle School Narberth |
Top 3 High Schools | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Alexandria; McLean High School McLean; Langley High School McLean | Conestoga High School Berwyn; North Allegheny Senior High School Wexford; Masterman High School Philadelphia |
Top 3 private high schools | The Madeira School McLean; St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Alexandria; Episcopal High School Alexandria | The Haverford School Haverford; The Baldwin School Bryn Mawr; Shady Side Academy Pittsburgh |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Flint Hill School Oakton; Potomac School McLean; Steward School Richmond | Friends' Central School Wynnewood; Germantown Friends School Philadelphia; The Agnes Irwin School Rosemont |
Top 3 School Districts | Falls Church City Public Schools; Loudoun County Public Schools; Fairfax County Public Schools | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District; Radnor Township School District; Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do Virginia to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 375 miles from Virginia to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,203 | 300 ft3 | $4.01 |
1 Bedroom | $1,785 | 450 ft3 | $3.97 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,943 | 750 ft3 | $3.92 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,270 | 1100 ft3 | $3.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,143 | 1600 ft3 | $3.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,834 | 1800 ft3 | $3.80 |
Top Virginia to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.