Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Philadelphia, PA
Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Philadelphia, PA is a 1707 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 40m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1707 mi · 31h 40m by car · PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Philadelphia and Colorado Springs are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.707 vs 102.554); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Philadelphia typical home at $231,815 is 1.8% under Colorado Springs at $449,452 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 50.7" |
Philadelphia runs 7.2°F warmer on the annual average (50.5°F vs 57.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Philadelphia is 1.8% below Colorado Springs ($83,198 vs $60,698, ACS 5-year 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 Colorado 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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (7.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 15.9 in.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 1.8% higher than Colorado Springs (102.554 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 48.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1707 mi and the route typically takes 31h 40m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs 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 1707 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Philadelphia, PA.