Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Cleveland, OH
It is a 429 mi drive, roughly 8h 4m, between Philadelphia, PA and Cleveland, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
429 mi Β· 8h 4m by car Β· PA β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, PATP, I 480 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Cleveland at 93.923 vs Philadelphia at 102.554.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $231,815 to $115,537 moving to Cleveland.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Philadelphia | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 33.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.4Β°F moving to Cleveland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.18 |
Cleveland households earn about 8.4% less than Philadelphia at the median β $60,698 β $39,187 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 429 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 8.4% lower than Philadelphia (93.923 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $231,815 in Philadelphia β a 50.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 429 mi and the route typically takes 8h 4m via I 76 and PATP. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $60,698 in Philadelphia β a 35.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA Β· Cleveland, OH.