Moving from Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA
Moving from Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA covers 82 mi and about 1h 45m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
82 mi · 1h 45m by car · PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJ 21, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Paterson, Yonkers |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newark | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Philadelphia are 8.9% below Newark — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Philadelphia typical home at $231,815 is 8.9% under Newark at $478,455 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Newark -0.8%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Newark | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 50.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.8°F vs 57.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newark | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $48,416 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Philadelphia is 8.9% above Newark ($48,416 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 New Jersey 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.
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 Newark?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $478,455 in Newark — a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Newark?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $59,390 in the Newark MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Newark, NJ?
The driving distance is 82 mi and the route typically takes 1h 45m via I 95 and NJ 21. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Newark 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 82 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Newark?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 8.9% lower than Newark (102.554 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Newark vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $48,416 in Newark — a 25.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Newark and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 54.8°F in Newark (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 50.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newark.
City profiles: Newark, NJ · Philadelphia, PA.