Best Moving Companies in Pennsylvania 2025

The cost of moving depends largely on distance and how many belongings you have. Local movers, including movers in Philadelphia, typically charge by the hour, averaging $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. Long-distance movers often charge a flat fee, averaging $5,000 to $10,000, for moves over 1,000 miles.

Other products and services, like packing, storage and additional insurance, add to the cost. Factors like home size, location, extra stops, specialty items and time of year can also affect pricing. Tipping movers is customary (usually 10% to 20% of the total cost). To save money, consider decluttering, moving during an offseason and asking about discounts. You can also move yourself, but this may make an already stressful relocation more difficult.

Estimates for moving services from Philadelphia (19104)

The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.

There are ways to simplify the process and make a move less stressful — it just takes some planning.

1. Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require

Evaluate your time frame, how much you need moved and your moving budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs if you can.

2. Declutter

To save on costs, try reducing the weight and volume of your belongings. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need — your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup.

3. Get a head start on packing

Start packing seasonal or less frequently used items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.

» MORE: How to pack for a move

4. Have essentials ready

Pack a box or bag for each person in your household that has essentials for moving day and the day after. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.

5. Have a plan for contacting your mover

Ensure you have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out if yours has this ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day.

» MORE DETAILS: Moving checklist

Despite recent negative net migration, Pennsylvania remains an appealing destination for those seeking an affordable cost of living, strong local economies and recreational activities. Compared with other Northeastern states, the Keystone State’s median home sale price is highly affordable ($257,300) — 26% less than the national median. Its combination of charming cities, suburbs and towns makes it easy to find something safe, affordable and accessible for everyone.

If you’re considering a move to Pennsylvania, it’s important to find a city that fits your lifestyle and financial goals. Our research team ranked the state's 25 largest cities based on five key factors: affordability, safety, economic strength, health care and education, and quality of life. Read on to discover which cities made the list.

The five best places to move to in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranks as the eighth-best state to move to, in part, by having some of the most affordable health care and strong public education. The state offers an attractive balance of urban, suburban and rural settings, all within close driving distance to New York City and other major cities. Whether you’re looking to start your new career or want to enjoy the state’s inexpensive amenities, read on to discover hidden Pennsylvania gems.

1. Bethel Park

Bethel Park’s affordability and low crime relative to its urban access contribute to its ranking as the best place to move to in Pennsylvania. It's a family-friendly suburban environment 10 miles from Pittsburgh, with numerous parks and recreational options, including South Park, one of the largest parks in Allegheny County, at about 2,000 acres. Access to the city is also easy, as the Pittsburgh Regional Transit light rail line (the “T”) provides service into downtown Pittsburgh.

• Best overall safety: Bethel Park has the second-lowest violent crime rate (0.9 crimes per 1,000 people) and property crime rate (8.6 per 1,000 people) in Pennsylvania.
• Great affordability: It has the lowest home-to-income ratio among large Pennsylvania cities, with median home prices just twice the local median income.
• Well-educated population: 97.2% of residents have earned at least a high school degree, the fifth-highest rate in the state.
• Accessible health care: Bethel Park ranks fifth in the state for health care access, with 30.5 health care professionals per 1,000 residents.

2. Drexel Hill

Drexel Hill, a prominent neighborhood within Upper Darby less than 10 miles from downtown Philadelphia, stands out for its urban convenience. It is highly walkable and offers a strong economy, on top of being a short driving distance from several major cities, including New York and Washington, D.C.

• Strong economy: It ranks third overall for economic strength, primarily due to having the second-highest average job growth between 2019 and 2024 (4.1%) and the fifth-lowest share of the population below the poverty line (8%).
• High walkability: 94% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park — the ninth-highest percentage on our list.
• Health care access: It ranks seventh for health care access, with 28.7 health care professionals per 1,000 residents.
• Well-educated population: 94% of residents have earned at least a high school diploma, the seventh-highest rate in the state.

3. Levittown

Levittown has a history dating back to shortly after World War II, when it was one of several housing developments built by Levitt & Sons for returning veterans. Today, low crime and a strong economy make this large Philadelphia suburb an appealing option for prospective movers.

• Low violent crime: Levittown has the third-lowest violent crime rate (1.1 crimes per 1,000 people) in Pennsylvania.
• Strong job market: It ranks second overall economically by having the same job growth rate as Drexel Hill (4.1%) and the fourth-lowest share of the population below the poverty line (7.2%).
• Well-educated population: 93.3% of residents have graduated high school, the eighth-highest rate in the state.
• Accessible health care: Levittown ranks sixth in the state for health care access, with 30.3 health care professionals per 1,000 residents.

4. Altoona

Altoona stands out as the only nonsuburban city in the top five list. The city of just over 43,000 offers the most affordable housing in Pennsylvania without sacrificing in other areas. Penn State, about 45 miles northeast, and local industries drive economic opportunity.

• Most affordable living: With a median rent price of $903 and a median home sale price of $148,964, Altoona ranks as the most affordable city to move to in Pennsylvania.
• High walkability: 90% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park — the 13th highest percentage on our list.
• Well-educated population: 92.6% of residents have earned at least a high school diploma, the ninth-highest rate in the state.
• Accessible health care: Altoona ranks 10th in the state for health care access, with 20.2 health care professionals per 1,000 residents.

5. Plum

Another prominent Pittsburgh suburb, Plum earned the fifth spot on our list by offering some of the best health care access, highly educated residents, affordable housing and safe neighborhoods. It’s home to one of the most famous golf courses in the nation at Oakmont Country Club, which has hosted the U.S. Open nine times — with a 10th coming in June 2025. Additionally, Plum offers hundreds of acres for hiking, biking, riding, hunting and skiing.

• Second-best health care access: With 37.2 health care professionals per 1,000 residents, Plum offers the second-best health care access in Pennsylvania.
• Second-highest education rate: 97.5% of residents have graduated high school, the second-highest rate in the state.
• Low poverty and crime: Plum has the lowest property crime rate (6.4 per 1,000 people) and the lowest share of residents living in poverty (3.1%) in Pennsylvania.
• Affordable housing: The median home sale price ($208,758) is only 2.1 times higher than the median household income ($98,475), the second-lowest ratio in the state.

See how the rest of Pennsylvania compares

The table below ranks the 25 most populous cities in Pennsylvania across five key categories: affordability, safety, economic strength, health care and education, and quality of life. No matter what you prioritize, these cities offer diverse benefits for young professionals, families and retirees. Check out our chart below to discover which city best suits your needs.

Methodology: Best cities

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team evaluated the 25 most populous cities in the state across five weighted categories to identify the best cities to move to in Pennsylvania. In each category, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores. We added the category scores together to get an overall score, which is out of 100 points.

• Affordability (30 points): This category includes each city’s median rent for February 2025 (15 points) and an affordability ratio of the median home sale price to the median income in each metro area (15). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023) and Zillow (2024).
• Safety (30 points): This score is based on rates of violent crime (15 points) and property crime (15) per 1,000 residents. Data is from NeighborhoodScout (2023).
• Economy (20 points): The economy score considers average job growth in each metro from 2019 to 2024 (10 points), the city’s percentage of residents below the poverty level (7) and the unemployment rate (3). Data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019 to 2024) and the U.S. Census Bureau (2023).
• Health care and education (10 points): This category includes the number of health care professionals per 1,000 people (5 points) and the share of the population that has obtained a high school degree (5). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023).
• Quality of life (10 points): The quality of life score considers walkability (5 points) and the percentage of the population living within a 10-minute walk of a green space (5). Data is from Walk Score and The Trust for Public Land.

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com.

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