Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Cross-country relocations like Los Angeles, CA → Philadelphia, PA cover 2721 mi and about 48h 41m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2721 mi · 48h 41m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Philadelphia are 9.7% below Los Angeles — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Philadelphia typical home at $231,815 is 9.7% under Los Angeles at $952,183 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 50.7" |
Climate cools by 6.1°F on the annual average — 63.8°F → 57.7°F.
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: CULVER CITY, CA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.7% between Los Angeles and Philadelphia (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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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 far is Philadelphia, PA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2721 mi and the route typically takes 48h 41m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles 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 2721 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 24.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 75.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (6.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 14.1 in.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 9.7% lower than Los Angeles (102.554 vs 113.566, 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Philadelphia, PA.