The best moving companies in Pennsylvania

We found the best Pennsylvania movers by researching more than 30 moving companies.
Best long-distance moving company
Best local moving company
Best moving container company
Best moving truck company
Best hourly moving labor company

Pennsylvania is the fifth most-populated state in the nation. However, more people are moving out of Pennsylvania than most other places. That means it’s important to know who to call for help relocating. International Van Lines is our pick for the best interstate mover in Pennsylvania. But there are other attractive options if you’re doing a local move—or simply want a moving company with specific features like packing services or piano moving. So, we’ve put together a list of your best options, whether you’re looking for Philadelphia movers or the best moving company in Pittsburgh.


Compare Pennsylvania moving companies

Moving company
Move type
Move.org rating
Cost
Learn more
Full-service (long distance)
4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9
$$$$
Full-service (local)
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4
$$$
Moving container
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
$$$
Truck rental
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
$$
Hourly labor
4 out of 5 stars
4
$$

Best Movers in Pennsylvania

International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company

Best long-distance moving company

International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.

pro
Pros
pro Transparent pricing
pro Local and long-distance moving
pro 15% car shipping discount
pro 15% senior discount
pro 30 days of free storage
con
Cons
con Below-average customer reviews
con Annoying pop-up ads

First National Van Lines—Best local moving company

Best local moving company

First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.

pro
Pros
pro Services most U.S. cities
pro Excellent customer reviews
pro In-home and virtual quotes
pro 30 days of free storage
pro Remote video storage
con
Cons
con Out-of-date website

PODS—Best moving container company

Best moving container company

PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.

pro
Pros
pro Low prices
pro Multiple container sizes
pro Lots of storage options
pro Positive customer reviews
pro 46-state availability
con
Cons
con Confusing prices

Penske—Best moving truck company

Best moving truck company

Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.

pro
Pros
pro Lowest moving prices
pro Local and long-distance rentals
pro Excellent customer reviews
pro Moving discounts
pro Reliable reservations
con
Cons
con No service in Alaska

HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company

Best hourly moving labor company

HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.

pro
Pros
pro Professional contractors
pro Packing and loading services
pro 4,750+ locations
pro 50-state availability
pro Positive customer reviews
con
Cons
con High prices
con Two-hour minimum

Move.org's top pick

internationalvanlines

International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?


What type of moving company is right for you?

Professional movers
They handle it all.

Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.

Containers
You load, they ship.

You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.

Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.

Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.


What to know about moving in Pennsylvania

Population

Pennsylvania is the nation’s fifth most populous state,1 with approximately 12.9 million residents.2 However, it gets smaller every day. For example, our proprietary analysis of Google moving trends indicates a mass exodus of people moving out of Pennsylvania. Interestingly, most residents search for movers in Delawar and Florida moving services.3 The average household comprises 2.4 people, and roughly 12% of the population lives in a different house than they did one year ago.1

Employment

The median Pennsylvania income is approximately $63,630,1 and roughly 62% of the state participates in the labor force.4 The most prominent industries in the Keystone State are education, general medical services, and food services. The state’s highest-paying non-medical occupations are pharmaceuticals, finance, and agriculture. Similarly, the wealthiest Pennsylvania counties are Chester County, Montgomery County, and Bucks County.5

Cost of living

Pennsylvania’s cost of living is about average compared to the rest of the United States. For example, it ranks 27th in the Council for Community & Economic Research’s list of the most affordable states. In other words, about half of the country is more affordable than Pennsylvania, while the other half is more expensive. Utilities are another story, however. They cost more than average.6 Our research shows that the average resident will spend about $390 monthly on Pennsylvania utility bills—including $110 for electricity, $60 for gas, and $60 for broadband internet.

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Politics

Pennsylvania is somewhat more Democratic than Republican. Half of the state voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election (compared to 49% for Donald Trump).5 However, the state’s political composition is slightly more extreme for day-to-day politics. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that roughly 46% of Pennsylvania residents identify as Democratic, while only 39% favor the GOP.7 The state’s most Republican counties are Fulton County, Bedford County, and Philadelphia County, while the bluest counties include Philadelphia County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County.5


Best Pennsylvania movers FAQ

Who are the top three movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

International Van Lines, First National Van Lines, and PODS are the best Philadelphia moving companies. Each moving service offers something unique, from packing services to portable storage.

What is the best moving company for long-distance moves?

The best cross-country movers work for International Van Lines. The company’s professional movers have decades of experience helping people move in the greater Philadelphia area—and throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

What is the most cost-effective way to move?

The cheapest way to move is to rent a truck from one of the best moving truck companies. Our top pick is Penske Truck Rental due to its low prices and reliable vehicles.

How much do packing services cost?

The price for packing services varies based on how much stuff you have. For example, IVL says it usually costs less than $700 to pack a 500-square-foot apartment but can run as high as $2,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home.

What should I look for in a Pennsylvania moving company?

The most important things to look for in a professional moving company are positive customer reviews, reasonable prices, and binding estimates. You can also avoid moving scams by making sure your moving company has plenty of positive third-party reviews.


Methodology

We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor:

  • Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.

  • Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.

  • Mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.

  • Site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.

  • Regular review. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.

Sources

  1. United States Census Bureau, October 11, 2022, “U.S. and World Population Clock,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
  2. United States Census Bureau, “Quick Facts: Pennsylvania,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
  3. Google, 2021, “Moving Season Is On: 2021,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
  4. United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022, “Pennsylvania Employment Report,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
  5. Deloitte, “Data USA: Pennsylvania,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
  6. Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
  7. Pew Research Center, “Party Affiliation among Adults in Pennsylvania,” Accessed October 11, 2022.
Kurt Manwaring
Written by
Kurt Manwaring
Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade’s worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.