Moving from Springfield, MA to Philadelphia, PA
It is a 232 mi drive, roughly 5h 2m, between Springfield, MA and Philadelphia, PA. 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.
232 mi Β· 5h 2m by car Β· PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 91, 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
| Springfield | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Philadelphia runs about 6.8% more expensive overall than Springfield β RPP 96.061 β 102.554.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $294,613 in Springfield to $231,815 in Philadelphia, a 6.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 8.3Β°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.36 |
Households in Philadelphia earn about 6.8% more at the median β 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 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 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.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β 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 β 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 β 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 Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $294,613 in Springfield β a 21.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 6.8% higher than Springfield (102.554 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 232 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Springfield, MA?
The driving distance is 232 mi and the route typically takes 5h 2m via I 95 and I 91. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $51,339 in Springfield β a 18.2% higher 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA Β· Philadelphia, PA.