Moving from Round Rock, TX to Philadelphia, PA
Moving from Round Rock, TX to Philadelphia, PA is a 1648 mi cross-country relocation — about 29h 57m of driving through 7 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.
1648 mi · 29h 57m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Round Rock (98.066) and Philadelphia (102.554) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Philadelphia: 4.6% below Round Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Philadelphia is 4.6% below Round Rock ($97,187 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 Texas 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in 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 much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 43.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock 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 1648 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 4.6% higher than Round Rock (102.554 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 37.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1648 mi and the route typically takes 29h 57m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Philadelphia, PA.