Moving from Boston, MA to Philadelphia, PA
It is a 303 mi drive, roughly 6h 28m, between Boston, MA and Philadelphia, PA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
303 mi · 6h 28m by car · PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → NJ → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 90, CT 15 |
| Major cities en route | Elizabeth, Newark, New York, Jersey City, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Philadelphia at 102.554 vs Boston at 108.266.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $798,217 to $231,815 moving to Philadelphia.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 5.8°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.36 |
Philadelphia households earn about 5.3% less than Boston at the median — $94,755 → $60,698 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Boston to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 303 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 51.9°F in Boston (5.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 43.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $798,217 in Boston — a 71.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $94,755 in Boston — a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 303 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via I 95 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 5.3% lower than Boston (102.554 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Philadelphia, PA.