Virginia Local Expert
Laura Gray
“I arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea I’d still be…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From VAMoving from Virginia|To PAMoving to Pennsylvania|Virginia → Pennsylvania
Moving from VA to Pennsylvania: Why So Many People Are Doing It
Two states separated by a single border can still feel worlds apart once the moving truck pulls away. Virginia and Pennsylvania share Mid-Atlantic roots and a deep sense of history, but the differences in climate, taxes, cost of living, and daily pace add up quickly for anyone making the leap north. Swapping the milder winters and Southern charm of Virginia for the four-season intensity and urban grit of Pennsylvania takes some real adjustment. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Alyssa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before you start filling a single box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Driving a Moving Truck from Virginia to Pennsylvania
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
Drivers traveling from Virginia to Pennsylvania most commonly take I-95 North, I-81 North, or I-83 North depending on their origin and destination cities.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Philadelphia, PA
~300 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → Philadelphia, PA
~350 miles
Roanoke, VA → Pittsburgh, PA
~350 miles
Norfolk, VA → Philadelphia, PA
~350 miles
Charlottesville, VA → Pittsburgh, PA
~400 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to Pennsylvania Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Pennsylvania from Virginia is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
How Much Will Relocating from Virginia to Pennsylvania Set You Back?
Moving 350 miles from Virginia to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,390.00
1 Bedroom
$2,060.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,390.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,910.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,070.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,860.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,390.00 | 300 | $4.63 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,060.00 | 450 | $4.58 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,390.00 | 750 | $4.52 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,910.00 | 1,100 | $4.46 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,070.00 | 1,600 | $4.42 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,860.00 | 1,800 | $4.37 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
What Kind of Person Thrives After Moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania?
Well, it depends. If you're a Gamer, Minimalist, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to Pennsylvania. But if you're more of a Yoga Instructor, Retired Military, or CrossFit Regular, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Virginia to Pennsylvania.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to PA
Gaming
Virginia
6
/10
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
MAGFest at National Harbor nearby and VT esports clubs.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Nerd Street events, Replay FX legacy, Oaks Expo cons
Recommended PA cities/areas for Gamers
PhiladelphiaPittsburgh
Virginia
6
/10
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Minimalism
Virginia
5
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Urban convenience, but sprawl from Tysons to Short Pump.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Loft living, SEPTA and Port Authority simplify life
Recommended PA cities/areas for Minimalists
PhiladelphiaPittsburgh
Virginia
5
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Thrifting
Virginia
7
/10
Pennsylvania
8
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Bygones Vintage, Low Vintage digs, Old Town finds.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Strip District finds, South Street racks, Neighborhood Flea weekends
Recommended PA cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
PittsburghPhiladelphia
Virginia
7
/10
Pennsylvania
8
/10
Yoga
Virginia
8
/10
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Sunrise ocean flows and RVA rooftop classes.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Schuylkill sunset flows, Delaware Canal zen, Morris Arboretum calm
Recommended PA cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
PhiladelphiaNew Hope
Virginia
8
/10
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Military Culture
Virginia
7
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Naval Station Norfolk, Oceana, Quantico clinics and community.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Army War College nearby, strong VA networks in Philly
Recommended PA cities/areas for Retired Militaries
CarlislePhiladelphia
Virginia
7
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Fitness
Virginia
7.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Boxes near Town Center, Del Ray, and Mill Mountain.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Boxes everywhere, Broad Street Run vibes boost PRs
Recommended PA cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
PhiladelphiaKing of Prussia
Virginia
7.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Pennsylvania?
Walking through a farmer's market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh-picked sweet corn and homemade muffins to vintage records and found art represents the diverse communities in PA.
– Alyssa Kruse
Pennsylvania Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Virginia and living in Pennsylvania
VirginiaPennsylvania
From Virginia to Pennsylvania: How the Food Scene Changes
Eating Like a Local in Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertVirginia vs Pennsylvania: The Tax Comparison
Virginia
Pennsylvania
VirginiavsPennsylvania
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Shift
Virginia
Pennsylvania
VirginiavsPennsylvania
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
The Weather Reality Between Virginia and Pennsylvania
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
WINTER
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Pennsylvania
Winter: The smell of snow on the air. Warm cozy fires. Christkindle Markets.
Spring: Blooming daffodils and tulips. Hiking through the waking woods. Rainy days, reading inside.
Summer: Farmer's markets, outdoor music, small town art shows, festivals every weekend.
Fall: Gorgeous foliage, coffeehouse tours, Halloween parades
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Pennsylvania
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Virginia, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Pennsylvania. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Pennsylvania local experts.
