Moving to Philadelphia

From sightseeing to comparing Philadelphia electricity rates

Moving to any East Coast city can be a daunting experience, so you’ll be happy to know that The City of Brotherly Love welcomes newcomers with open arms. It’s just what founder William Penn wanted back in 1682.

 

If you’re budget conscious, you’re in luck. For what you might expect to pay to live on the East Coast, Philadelphia offers more affordable market prices than many of its neighbors. Numbeo’s cost of living index, which ranks from lowest cost (1) to highest cost (100) based on food, transportation, and utilities, ranks Philadelphia at about 80. If that seems high, consider the cost of living in neighboring cities like New York (100), Boston (85) and Washington, D.C. (83). And movers can still buy a house for under $300,000 in the Philadelphia area.

A caring community

The city’s largest economic sector is healthcare, with strength in eldercare. Healthcare accounts for more than 20% of total employment in Philadelphia as well, according to Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.

 

Education follows close behind. Upwards of 12% of the Philadelphia jobs can be found in education according to City- Data.com. There are 55 colleges in the Philly area, including the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Drexel University. Other large industries include business and financial services, retail services and hospitality.

 

Healthcare, education and hospitality? Seems Philadelphians truly embrace that Brotherly Love title. If that seems like a
culture you want to be part of, we can help you make the move smoother – starting with choosing an energy supplier.

How energy reaches your Philadelphia home

The power to choose your natural gas and electricity suppliers is often an overlooked benefit for those moving to Philadelphia. Whether you’re coming from out of state or moving from another part of Pennsylvania, add this opportunity to your moving checklist.

 

Pennsylvania is an Energy Choice state, which means residents can compare electric and natural gas providers and have the freedom to choose the supplier and plan that best fits their individual needs. With the right plan, you could make monthly budgeting more predictable or select a supplier that offers environmentally friendly clean energy.

 

Energy reaches Philadelphia homes through the interconnected work of three types of electricity and natural gas companies – generation companies, suppliers and utility companies.

Electric utility companies in Philly include Penn Power, Penelec, Duquesne Light Company, PPL Electric, West Penn Power, and Met-Ed. Once you’ve chosen a rate, your new supplier will work with your local utility to make the switch and deliver energy to your home.

Comparing energy prices and the average electric bill in Philadelphia

The average rate in Philadelphia for electric customers is about 17 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is 17% higher than the national average of about 15 cents per kWh. The average monthly bill for electricity, however, is around $107, equal to the national average. Finding a new supplier that offers a fixed-rate plan for up to 36 months might help you control this monthly cost spending.

 

Once you’ve picked from various rate plans and finished shopping in the energy market, your local utility, sometimes called a distribution company, will gladly work with energy suppliers to implement the rate you picked into your utility bill. To get started, simply put the zip code of your new address in the box below

Comparing energy prices and the average electric bill in Philadelphia

Beyond choosing an energy supplier, you’ll want to check these housekeeping items off before you make your move. Each can save you a headache and make the transition to Philly that much easier.

 

  1. Inform your insurance provider: Make sure your insurance provider knows you are moving so they can make any necessary updates to your homeowner and auto policies.
  2. Set up your utilities: Whether you’re moving in the middle of summer or the dead of Pennsylvanian winter, you’ll want to set up your utilities before you move. They’ll help make sure you can turn on the lights and feel comfortable the moment you step in the door.
  3. Change your mailing address: Many homeowners forget to change their home address on sites such as Amazon, Zappos, and even Doordash. Soon enough, that new Eagles jersey you ordered arrives on the doorstep of an angry Steelers fan. Double check that your address information is up-to-date on all platforms.
  4. Get your Wi-Fi and subscriptions connected: After a long day of unpacking, you’ll want to turn on the TV and relax. Make sure there’s something you can watch by setting up internet and cable beforehand. Wi-Fi can be set up online or over the phone.
  5. Visit the DMV: Once you’re settled, figure out if a trip to the Pennsylvania DMV is necessary. If you’re from out of state, you’ll need to register vehicles and get a new driver’s license. This process can take time, so you’ll want to do it soon.
  6. Explore your community: To feel more at home and save some time, explore your neighborhood and determine where the nearest grocery store, repair shop, gas station, and hospital are located. Knowing where to go when you need to go is half the battle of feeling at home.

Where history meets trendy: Have some Philly fun

Philadelphia streets are the definition of versatile. You’ll walk down one block lined with old brownstone buildings to find the next populated with modern skyscrapers. Then, suddenly, you’re in a wide-open park. Where are these fun Philly locations? Check these out:

Old City:

Sometimes it’s best to begin, well, at the beginning of it all! Located east of City Hall on the Delaware River, Old City is home to America’s most historic square mile. The area contains Independence Hall, among 24 other historical sites, where the foundation of America was laid. Take a walk on cobblestone streets and step back in time. When you’re ready to come back to the present, simply step into one of Philly’s many local shops and experience today’s thriving independent creator culture.

Fun facts about Philly

Philadelphia is well-known for its place in American history, but Philly has an eclectic side, too. Here’s Philly’s other side, from street art to giant sandwiches.

Reading Terminal Market:

Public markets are the lifeblood of a local community. As one of the oldest indoor public markets in the country, Reading Terminal Market is no exception. Located just a few blocks east of City Hall, the Market’s 80 independent vendors offer everything from kitchenware to cookbooks, making it a chef’s one-stop-shop. If you don’t feel like the chef-aficionado, check out any of the Market’s restaurants, all under one roof. Either way, you’re sure to find your next great meal here.

Fishtown:

North of Old City lies a creative and lively neighborhood. Young artists in the ’90s made Fishtown their home, enamored with its repurposed industrial roots, giving way to a plethora of art galleries, restaurants and breweries. You can walk to most of Fishtown’s restaurants from Frankford Avenue. Better yet, just follow the live music and see where you land!

Fairmount:

Fairmount, home to the famous Philadelphia Art Museum, overlooks the city. Leading to the art museum is Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a scenic drive through Philly’s largest park. Once at the art museum, climb the steps – or run up like Rocky Balboa – to see Philadelphia in all of its glory: an old, versatile, independent, thriving cultural city.

Medical Masters:

Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond founded the first U.S.-based hospital in Philadelphia, and that title went to good use. Today, 1 in 6 doctors have been trained in the City of Brotherly Love in some point in their life according to The Philadelphia Institute of Medicine.

Amazing Murals:

Philly is home to the most contemporary art outside Paris, and you can find that art not only in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but on the streets, too. There are over 36,000 murals in Philadelphia, practically one on every other corner. Because of this, Philly is known as the Mural Capital of the World.

City of Firsts:

Philadelphia residents like being No. 1, and they have the backing to claim the title as a city of firsts. Among many firsts, Philly hosted the first continental congress which started the U.S. From there, Philly created the nation’s first capital, hospital, university, public library, and zoo. The city even contained the first computer, which weighed over 27 tons.

Too Much Cheesesteak:

The Philly Cheesesteak needs no introduction; it’s already a fan favorite all over the U.S. To show how big and popular the sandwich is, Philadelphia restaurant owners take it upon themselves to make longer and longer versions of the sandwich occasionally, resulting in a neighborhood feast. Rene Kobeitri holds the current world record for the longest cheesesteak at 510 feet long, using over 500 pounds of steak.