Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Inglewood, CA
Cross-country relocations like Philadelphia, PA β Inglewood, CA cover 2722 mi and about 48h 40m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2722 mi Β· 48h 40m by car Β· PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 102.554 in Philadelphia to 113.566 in Inglewood, a 10.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Inglewood: 10.7% above Philadelphia on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Philadelphia | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 11.8" |
Climate warms by 6.8Β°F on the annual average β 57.7Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.93 |
Income steps up 10.7%: $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $71,029 in Inglewood.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Inglewood, CA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 2722 mi and the route typically takes 48h 40m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Inglewood more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 10.7% higher than Philadelphia (113.566 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $231,815 in Philadelphia β a 229.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2722 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $60,698 in Philadelphia β a 17.0% 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 Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA Β· Inglewood, CA.