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Moving to Pennsylvania in 2024? Complete Moving Guide
This is a complete guide for Moving to Pennsylvania.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Pennsylvania.
Are you thinking of moving to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn in 1681 as a Quaker colony which is one of the original 13 colonies. The state has been a powerhouse of American industry where major contribution is made by steel, manufacturing and coal. The state has diverse landscapes and scenic beauty with rolling hills and farmland of “Amish Country”. The state has a cultural influence on American culture and history as several influential people were from Pennsylvania like James Buchanan, Benjamin Franklin and more. The state is known for its delicious food scene and thriving craft beer industry. The state is known to have several unique traditions like the annual Hershey's Kisses Drop on New Year's Eve and the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney. But if you are planning to relocate to Pennsylvania, then this information is not sufficient.
So, to smoothen your transition Van Lines Move has prepared a state guide that will provide you insights about the state.
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Quick Facts of Pennsylvania
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Top reasons to move to Pennsylvania
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Pros & Cons of Living in Pennsylvania
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Best Neighborhoods in the Pennsylvania
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Cost of living in Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania job market
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Major industries in Pennsylvania
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Top Career Options in Pennsylvania
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Best things to do in Pennsylvania
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Education System in Pennsylvania
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Type of insurance required in Pennsylvania
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Taxes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Demographics
Pennsylvania is home to a diverse population and significant Hispanic and Asian communities. People came from different cultures to make the state a vibrant community.
Male vs Female Population of Pennsylvania 2022
As per the statistics, the total population of Pennsylvania in 2022 was 12,972,008 and here we have presented the gender-specific population in the state.
| Category | Population | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 12,972,008 | 100.0 |
| Male | 6,435,135 | 49.4 |
| Female | 6,536,873 | 50.6 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, July 1, 2022 estimate
Population distribution by ethnicity in Pennsylvania in 2022
According to the report presented by the U.S. Census Bureau, the ethnic composition of the Pennsylvania population is given in table-
| Ethnicity | Population | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| White alone | 9,493,893 | 73.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,123,675 | 8.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,312,215 | 10.1% |
| Asian alone | 553,989 | 4.3% |
| Two or more races | 360,087 | 2.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 61,149 | 0.5% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 6,000 | 0.05% |
| Total | 12,911,008 | 100.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, July 1, 2022 estimate
Note: The total population can be different in this table as compared to other data due to rounding and the exclusion of the "Some Other Race" category.
Male vs Female population by Age groups in Pennsylvania in 2022
| Age Group | Male Population | Female Population | Total Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 330,946 | 326,601 | 657,547 |
| 5 to 17 years | 1,248,222 | 1,226,161 | 2,474,383 |
| 18 to 24 years | 579,903 | 591,985 | 1,171,888 |
| 25 to 34 years | 739,663 | 721,807 | 1,461,470 |
| 35 to 44 years | 868,757 | 890,254 | 1,759,011 |
| 45 to 54 years | 905,608 | 903,046 | 1,808,654 |
| 55 to 64 years | 768,533 | 800,728 | 1,569,261 |
| 65 years and over | 1,004,503 | 1,076,291 | 2,080,794 |
| Total | 6,435,135 | 6,536,873 | 12,972,008 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, July 1, 2022 estimate
Quick Facts of Pennsylvania
Let’s check out some quick and interesting facts about Pennsylvania-
- The nickname of Pennsylvania is “The Keystone State”.
- The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg.
- The largest city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia
- Hershey in PA is the Chocolate Capital of the United States
- The first piano in America was built in Philadelphia in 1775.
- The state is famous for cheesesteaks, funnel cake, shoofly pie, and craft beer.
- Groundhog Day is celebrated in Punxsutawney, PA.
Top reasons to move to Pennsylvania
If you are planning to move to Pennsylvania then you must have some strong reasons to encourage you to move-
- Rich culture- The state has a vibrant culture with the presence of various museums, music venues, theaters and Broadway shows.
- Cost of living- The state has a relatively affordable cost of living with lower housing costs and diverse communities.
- Job Market- The job market in Pennsylvania is strong with a diverse economy. The state is home to several Fortune 500 companies.
- Education system- The state has a strong educational system with highly ranked public schools and top universities like Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania and more.
- Recreational options- There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, skiing, biking and boating. You can explore various parks, forests and mountains.
- Friendly community- The state is known for its friendly community and diverse neighborhoods.
- Weather- The state experiences four distinct seasons that bring scenic beauty with every weather and you can be a part of different activities.
Pros & Cons of Living in Pennsylvania
Each state has something to offer but there are certain challenges as well while you try to settle in the state. In this section, we have listed all the pros and cons of living in Pennsylvania.
| Pros of living in Pennsylvania | Cons of Living in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Residents are known for friendly and down-to-earth behavior | Winters can be harsh for some people with cold and snow around |
| State is rich in history and culture | The state has one of the highest tax rates |
| The state offers wide range of outdoor recreational activities | Cultural diversity can be challenging for some people |
| Home to several professional sports teams | The state is easy to navigate |
Best Places to Live in Pennsylvania
If you are moving to a new state then finding the right place to live can be challenging. Van Lines Move can help you find the best place to live in Pennsylvania. Check out the list below-
| Place | Population | Unemployment Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 57,453 | 2.4% | $275,000 |
| State College | 40,745 | 2.3% | $375,000 |
| Philadelphia | 1,596,865 | 3.5% | $245,000 |
| Allentown | 125,094 | 3.4% | $215,000 |
| Harrisburg | 50,183 | 2.7% | $171,000 |
| Pittsburgh | 302,898 | 3.0% | $248,000 |
| Conshohocken | 8,010 | 3.1% | $293,400 |
| Collegeville | 5,170 | 4.1% | $325,700 |
| Camp Hill | 7,911 | 3.8% | $212,900 |
| Bellefonte | 6,289 | 3.3% | $182,600 |
Source: Population: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2023 Estimates
Tip: When you've got a home to move in Pennsylvania, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.
Best Neighborhoods in the Pennsylvania
Find the best neighborhood for your family in Pennsylvania-
- Penn Wynne: This is a suburb of Pennsylvania which has a friendly environment with vibrant places to do some activities.
- Chesterbrook- This neighborhood is a suburb of Philadelphia. This is a perfect neighborhood for families as there are great schools and communities.
- Ardmore- This is a quiet neighborhood where you can do shopping, and this locality has easy access to Philadelphia.
- Harrisburg- If you are planning to live in a neighborhood with a mix of city and suburban life, then you can move here. This neighborhood has good schools, shops and parks.
- Pittsburg- This neighborhood has a lot to offer like museums, parks, restaurants, a beautiful skyline and bridges.
- Lancaster- This neighborhood is rich in history with beautiful architecture and friendly people.
Cost of living in Pennsylvania
The cost of living in any state is the total sum of money you have to spend for comfortable survival. It includes the cost of housing, education, food, taxes and more.
If you are moving to Pennsylvania, then you must know the cost of living in this state. This will also help you in setting up your moving budget. The cost of living in Pennsylvania is lower than the national average. It is 5.4% lower than the national average.
In this section we have explored different data related to the cost of living and can help you prepare for your move--
Cost of Living by Categories in Pennsylvania vs USA 2022
| Category | Pennsylvania | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Cost of Living | 88.8 | 100.0 |
| Housing | 83.6 | 100.0 |
| Grocery | 96.0 | 100.0 |
| Transportation | 92.1 | 100.0 |
| Utilities | 89.2 | 100.0 |
| Healthcare | 93.4 | 100.0 |
| Clothing | 98.0 | 100.0 |
| Miscellaneous | 92.8 | 100.0 |
Source: Numbeo
Median House Price in Pennsylvania vs USA 2022
| Location | Median House Price (2022) |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $269,000 |
| USA | $428,700 |
Source: RentCafe
Median Rent Price in Pennsylvania vs USA 2022
| Location | Median Rent Price (2022) |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $1,224 |
| USA | $1,326 |
Source: World Population Review
Housing Market in Pennsylvania
The housing market in Pennsylvania is strong with increasing home prices. Though there has been a decline in the sale of houses, still housing market is still relatively stable with consistent growth. The factors that are influencing the housing market in Pennsylvania are inventory, sales, and limited supply.
Source: Redfin
Average rental cost in Pennsylvania
The average rental cost in Pennsylvania is around $1,500 and several factors can affect the rental cost. Major factors affecting the average rental cost in Pennsylvania are the location of property, property size and type of property.
Source: Zillow Rental Manager
Median home value in Pennsylvania
The median home value in Pennsylvania is $273,500 which can be affected by several factors like type of property and location of property.
Source: Redfin
Pennsylvania job market
Currently, the job market in Pennsylvania is experiencing an increase in employment. There has been an increase of 1.9% in employment level with certain demanding occupations.
As per the reports provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the state is 4.2%o which is slightly higher than the national average. In this section of our guide, you can explore the details of the job market in Pennsylvania.
Number of Households by Income Level in Pennsylvania
| Income Level | Number of Households | Percentage of Households |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 | 107,000 | 2.5% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 98,000 | 2.3% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 212,000 | 5.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 238,000 | 5.6% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 363,000 | 8.5% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 585,000 | 13.7% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 496,000 | 11.6% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 684,000 | 16.0% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 303,000 | 7.1% |
| $200,000 or more | 357,000 | 8.4% |
Source: Statistical Atlas
Median Income in Pennsylvania vs USA
| Location | Median Household Income (2022) | Median Family Income (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $83,970 | $101,565 |
| USA | $67,521 | $97,972 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Unemployment Rate in Pennsylvania vs USA
| Location | Unemployment Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 4.2% |
| USA | 3.7% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Top Career Options in Pennsylvania
There are several career opportunities for everyone in Pennsylvania. If you want to switch your job or start a career then you can check out the given list-
| Job title | Average salary | Entry-Level Salary | # of People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $243,870 | $149,470 | 33,270 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $115,890 | $91,070 | 22,120 |
| Software Developer | $127,110 | $76,420 | 20,810 |
| Marketing Manager | $126,210 | $83,360 | 18,640 |
| Financial Analyst | $114,370 | $80,300 | 17,570 |
| Accountant | $78,780 | $58,990 | 24,160 |
| Teacher | $68,910 | $49,550 | 195,920 |
| Truck Driver | $64,350 | $47,270 | 60,710 |
| Registered Nurse | $73,300 | $55,790 | 117,070 |
| Sales Manager | $120,260 | $77,600 | 15,080 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)
Biggest companies in Pennsylvania by city and number of employees
| City | Company | Employees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Comcast Corporation | 90,000 |
| Pittsburgh | UPMC | 80,000 |
| Hershey | Hershey Company | 17,000 |
| Erie | Erie Insurance | 6,500 |
| Lancaster | Armstrong World Industries | 6,000 |
| Allentown | Air Products & Chemicals | 22,000 |
| Harrisburg | Highmark Health | 17,000 |
| Bethlehem | B. Braun Medical | 16,000 |
| West Chester | QVC | 15,000 |
| Reading | Carpenter Technology | 14,000 |
Source: Fortune 500
Major industries in Pennsylvania
If you are moving to Pennsylvania for a better job or starting a new career, then you must know what industries are flourishing in the state with employment opportunities. Van Lines Move has listed all the major industries in the state for your reference-
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Tourism
- Food Processing
- Energy
- Agribusiness
- Business Services
- Information Technology
Best things to do in Pennsylvania
When you plan to move to a new state, it will be difficult to start your life as you might be homesick. So, to overcome the stress and know about the place you can explore the state. Here, we have listed all the things you can do in Pennsylvania-
- Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art to explore more than 240,000 works of art, sculptures, and decorative.
- Visit Independence Hall where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed.
- Explore Philadelphia Dutch Country and learn about the Amish culture and tradition.
- Take a guided tour of the Philadelphia Zoo to attend various animals and exhibits.
- Visit Hersheypark which is an amusement park where you can explore chocolate-themed attractions.
- Explore the history and significance of the Liberty Bell.
Education System in Pennsylvania
Moving to a new state means you need to find a new school, college or university for your child. To ease the search, we have listed top elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities in Pennsylvania-
| Elementary Schools in Pennsylvania |
|---|
| Bower Hill Elementary School |
| Fairview Elementary School |
| Bradford Woods Elementary School |
| Rheems Elementary School |
| Wexford Elementary School |
| Middle Schools in Pennsylvania |
|---|
| Julia R. Masterman Secondary School |
| Greenfield Albert Middle School |
| Infinity Charter School |
| Valley Forge Middle School |
| Fort Couch Middle School |
| High Schools in Pennsylvania |
|---|
| Julia R. Masterman Secondary School |
| Downingtown STEM Academy |
| Central High School |
| Radnor High School |
| Conestoga High School |
| Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania |
|---|
| University of Pennsylvania |
| Carnegie Mellon University |
| Lehigh University |
| The Pennsylvania State University–University Park |
| Villanova University |
Source: US News Education
Type of insurance required in Pennsylvania
When you move you buy moving insurance to protect your belongings during the transition. And after moving to a new state, keeping you and your belongings safe is your responsibility.
This means you need to buy some insurance to protect you, your house and your belongings. Let us check out the insurance you need to buy in Pennsylvania-
Auto Insurance- This type of insurance is required by law in Pennsylvania. All the drivers and owners of the car must have insurance as Pennsylvania law considers this as maintaining “financial responsibility” on your vehicles. The coverages that must be included in this insurance are- bodily injured liability, medical benefits, property damage liability and limited or full Tort.
Health Insurance- This type of insurance is not required by law in Pennsylvania but it is highly recommended. Pennsylvania has its insurance marketplace known as Pennie and all the residents of the state can buy insurance from here.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance- This type of insurance is required by law in Pennsylvania for all businesses with workers. This will support the employees who are injured or get ill as a result of their job.
Disability Insurance- This type of insurance provides financial support to employees who are unable to work due to non-work-related injuries and illness.
Unemployment Insurance- This type of insurance provides benefits to workers who have lost their jobs without any fault. In this case, the employers have to pay unemployment taxes and this will fund the program.
Taxes in Pennsylvania
Taxes contribute a major portion of the cost of living. When you move to Pennsylvania, you have to pay some taxes as mandatory by law. Here we have listed all types of taxes you have to pay when you move to Pennsylvania-
Personal Income Tax- Pennsylvania has a flat rate of 3.07% on all taxable income though some municipalities levy local income taxes which can range between 0% to 3.79%.
Estate Tax- If you own an estate then you have to pay a 4.5% tax rate applicable on the taxable value of estates.
Sales and Use Tax- The sales tax in Pennsylvania has a rate of 6% while some municipalities add their local sales taxes that can bring up the tax rate to 8%.
Corporate Income Tax- The corporate income tax rate in Pennsylvania is 4.65%.
Property Tax- This type of tax is levied by local municipalities and school districts. The property tax rate in the state is 1.36%.
Vehicle Registration Tax- This tax applies to all vehicles registered in Pennsylvania.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.
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