Moving to Media, PA: 2026 Living Guide

Media calls itself “Everybody’s Hometown,” and it earns the name. The borough is the county seat of Delaware County, and its State Street is lined with restaurants, a restored 1920s theater, and shops you can walk to from almost any house in town. SEPTA’s Media/Wawa Line and the D1 trolley both run into town, so getting to Center City without a car is easy.

Media is small, less than one square mile of land, and that is part of the appeal. It suits people who want a walkable main street, good regional rail service, and quick access to big green spaces like Ridley Creek State Park and Tyler Arboretum. Empty nesters, young professionals, and county employees all end up here. The tradeoff is price: homes in Media cost well above the Pennsylvania average, and many residents rent.

Planning a move to Media? Call our Tri-State team at 410-499-8777 or get your price online.

Where Is Media?

Media sits in the middle of Delaware County, about 13 miles west of Philadelphia, according to Wikipedia. It was incorporated in 1850, and its name likely comes from its central (“median”) location in the county. Providence Road (PA Route 252) forms the eastern edge of the borough, and the U.S. Route 1 bypass runs along the south side of town.

Approximate driving distances from downtown Media (OSRM routing, no traffic):

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): about 10.4 miles, roughly 19 minutes
Philadelphia City Hall: about 14.9 miles, roughly 32 minutes
Wilmington, DE: about 18 miles, roughly 31 minutes

Rush-hour traffic on Baltimore Pike, Route 1 and I-476 can easily add time, so test your commute at the hours you will actually drive it. Transit is a big plus here. SEPTA’s Media/Wawa Line has a station in downtown Media, and the D1 trolley runs from Media to the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby, where you can connect to the Market-Frankford Line.

Media Population & Demographics

Media is a small, stable town. The 2020 Census counted 5,901 residents, and the Census Bureau estimates 5,920 lived here in July 2025. It is also an older, highly educated community: the median age is 44.9, and 62.2% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, far above the state and national rates.

Measure	Media	Pennsylvania	United States
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	5,920	13,059,432	341,784,857
Population (2020 Census)	5,901	—	331,449,281
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	44.9	40.9	—
Residents 65 and older	22.3%	21.4%	18.9%
Median household income (2020–2024)	$89,092	$77,971	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	62.2%	35.2%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	41.7%	69.3%	65.2%
Persons per household	1.87	—	2.53
Mean travel time to work	25.0 min	26.3 min	26.4 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median ages from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

A few more details stand out. Households are small, with 1.87 people on average, and only about 42% of homes are owner-occupied. That fits a town with plenty of apartments near its downtown. The Census Bureau puts the poverty rate at 4.1% and per capita income at $70,220. The borough covers just 0.76 square miles of land, which works out to about 7,734 people per square mile, a density that makes walking to dinner or the train practical.

Is Media Safe?

NeighborhoodScout, which analyzes FBI-reported data, lists Media’s 2024 violent crime rate at 2.02 per 1,000 residents and its property crime rate at 15.66 per 1,000. Both are below the national medians it cites (4 and 18 per 1,000). In raw numbers that was 12 violent crimes and 93 property crimes for the year. As in any town with a busy downtown, most issues are property-related, so lock your car and don’t leave boxes sitting on the porch during your move. For questions about a specific block, contact the Media Borough Police Department.

Cost of Living in Media

Home Prices

Media is one of the pricier small towns in the Philadelphia suburbs. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in the borough at $467,800 (2020–2024), compared with $254,500 for Pennsylvania and $332,700 nationwide.

Recent sales run higher. Redfin reports a median sale price of $662,353 for the 19063 ZIP code in July 2026, down 4.2% from a year earlier, with homes selling in a median of 32 days. Keep in mind that 19063 covers much more than the borough, including larger homes in surrounding townships. Redfin gives the ZIP a Compete Score of 82 out of 100, which it calls “very competitive,” so come to showings with your financing lined up.

Rent

With fewer than half of homes owner-occupied, Media has a real rental market. Apartments.com’s July 2026 data shows an average of $951 for a studio, $1,711 for a one-bedroom, $2,210 for a two-bedroom and $3,269 for a three-bedroom, with rents up 1.3% over the past year. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for the borough is $1,411 (2020–2024), just below the national median of $1,413 and above Pennsylvania’s $1,209. Newer units near State Street tend to cost more than older apartments in converted houses.

Best Neighborhoods in Media

State Street and Downtown

If you want to walk everywhere, look at the blocks around State Street and Veterans Square. You are steps from restaurants, the Media Theatre, the courthouse area, and the regional rail station. Housing is mostly apartments, condos, and older twins and rowhomes, some above storefronts. Parking is tight and many buildings have stairs rather than elevators, so this area suits renters, commuters and downsizers who don’t mind trading yard space for convenience. Expect some evening noise on busy nights.

Residential Streets North and South of State

A few blocks off State Street, the borough turns into quiet, tree-lined residential streets with single-family homes and twins, many built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. You still get the walkability, but with porches, small yards and less foot traffic. These streets appeal to families and couples who want to stay in the borough itself and in the Rose Tree Media School District. Older homes often mean narrow staircases and tight turns, which matters on moving day.

Media-Area Townships (Middletown and Upper Providence)

Many homes with a Media mailing address are actually in the surrounding townships. The Rose Tree Media School District serves Media Borough plus Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence townships, and Wikipedia lists areas such as South Media, Bowling Green, Pine Ridge and Ridgewood under the Media ZIP code. Here you’ll find larger lots, split-levels and colonials, and more space for the money per square foot. You’ll drive to State Street instead of walking, but Ridley Creek State Park and Tyler Arboretum are closer.

Weather & Climate

Media has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. The climate table on Wikipedia’s Media page shows January averaging a high of 39°F and a low of 28°F, and July averaging a high of 88°F and a low of 70°F. Summer thunderstorms and humidity are common, and July alone averages about 4 inches of rain.

The easiest months to move are usually May and late September through October. Summer moves work fine with an early start, but July and August are also peak season for movers, so book ahead. From December through March, keep a backup date in mind and make sure walkways and steps are cleared and salted.

Things to Do in Media

Tyler Arboretum

Tyler Arboretum, at 515 Painter Road, covers 650 acres of woodlands, wetlands and meadows, with 17 miles of trails. It is known for its historic gardens and seasonal exhibits. A large Steve Tobin sculpture exhibition opens there in October 2026 and runs through October 2027. Memberships are popular with local families.

Ridley Creek State Park

About 5 miles north of Media, Ridley Creek State Park covers 2,606 acres. It has a 5-mile paved multi-use trail, about 12 miles of hiking trails and a 4.7-mile equestrian trail. Inside the park, the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation is a living history museum on the 112-acre farm where the Pratt family lived from 1720 to 1820; it opens on weekends from April through November.

The Media Theatre

The Media Theatre at 104 East State Street opened in 1927 and was restored in 1994. Today it is a nonprofit that stages Broadway-style shows, a holiday production and a youth ensemble series. Its 2026–2027 season includes productions in October, a holiday run from late November into January, and spring shows in March and May.

State Street Dining and Shopping

State Street is the heart of town. Within a few blocks you’ll find Italian, Thai, Mexican, Indian, sushi and dim sum restaurants, along with pubs and local shops. It’s the kind of street where you can park once and spend the whole evening. Veterans Square, just off State Street, is home to several historic buildings, including the 1867 Delaware County Institute of Science.

Rose Tree Park and Glen Providence Park

You don’t have to drive to a state park for a walk. Wikipedia lists Rose Tree Park and Glen Providence Park among Media’s local parks, and both are handy for stretching your legs after a long day of unpacking.

Where to Eat in Media

Spasso Italian Grill

Spasso sits at 1 West State Street, right at the start of the restaurant row. It serves what it calls “comfort foods from Italy,” with fresh seafood, meats and homemade pasta. The Media location is open seven days a week and offers Sunday brunch. It also has a sister restaurant in Philadelphia’s Old City.

Azie Media

Azie, at 217 West State Street, is an Asian fusion restaurant with lunch, dinner, happy hour and Sunday brunch. It’s a good pick for a date night or for celebrating closing day, and you can reserve a table online.

Sterling Pig Brewery

Sterling Pig Brewery, at 609 West State Street, brews its own beer on site and serves barbecue-style food. The brewery marked its 10th anniversary in 2025, so it has been part of the Media scene for about a decade. It also runs a beer delivery and pickup service.

Jobs & Economy

As the county seat, Media is home to Delaware County government offices and the Delaware County Courthouse, which was built in 1871. That brings a steady flow of county workers, attorneys and related businesses into town. Many residents also commute to Philadelphia, the Main Line or Wilmington, helped by the regional rail line and the trolley. The average commute for Media residents is 25 minutes, slightly shorter than the state and national averages.

Several colleges have campuses near Media, including Delaware County Community College, Penn State Brandywine and the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, all of which use Media mailing addresses. The restaurants and shops along State Street add retail and hospitality jobs as well.

Schools in Media

Media is served by the Rose Tree Media School District, which also covers Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence townships. In the 2022–2023 school year the district served 4,143 students. It runs six schools: Media, Glenwood, Indian Lane and Rose Tree elementary schools, Springton Lake Middle School and Penncrest High School.

For higher education, Delaware County Community College, Penn State Brandywine and the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology are all close by. Confirm school assignments by address with the district before you sign a lease or make an offer, since a Media mailing address does not always mean the same district.

Media Quick Facts

County	Delaware County (county seat)
Incorporated	1850
ZIP codes	19063, 19065, 19091
Area codes	610, 484
Land area	0.76 square miles
Population (2025 estimate)	5,920
Nearest major airport	Philadelphia International (PHL), about 10 miles
Transit	SEPTA Media/Wawa Line; D1 trolley to 69th Street
Main roads	PA 252 (Providence Rd), US 1, Baltimore Pike
School district	Rose Tree Media School District

Moving to Media: Tips From Our Crew

These are the things we’d tell a friend before moving day in Media. If you’d like help planning the details, our Media movers can walk you through access, parking and timing when you call for your quote.

Plan for parking on and near State Street. Downtown parking is limited and often metered. Call Media Borough (301 North Jackson Street) ahead of time to ask what’s required to hold curb space for a moving truck, and give yourself enough lead time to get it done.
Avoid Friday and Saturday evenings downtown. State Street gets busy with diners and theater crowds. A weekday morning move is much easier for loading and unloading near restaurants.
Measure older staircases. Many Media homes and converted apartments are more than 100 years old, with narrow, winding stairs. Measure your sofa, box spring and dressers against the stairway and doorways before moving day so we can plan for hoisting or disassembly.
Ask your building about a certificate of insurance. Apartment and condo managers often require a COI from your mover before they’ll let us in. We provide COIs for free; just send us the building’s requirements.
Know your township. A Media mailing address might be in Middletown, Upper Providence or Edgmont. Trash pickup, permits and school assignments follow the municipality, not the ZIP code.
Use the train for the extra trip. If you’re moving from Philadelphia, the Media/Wawa Line makes it easy for one person to ride out and meet the truck while another drives.

Your first-week checklist in Media: Many Media-area addresses are in Middletown, Upper Providence or Edgmont townships, so start by confirming which municipality you’re in; that answer drives most of the list below.

Set up trash and recycling service and learn your pickup days.
Transfer or start electric, gas, water and internet service, and schedule it to begin the day before you arrive.
Update your address with PennDOT for your driver’s license and vehicle registration, and with the post office.
Register to vote at your new address and look up your polling place.
Enroll your children with the school district early, since registration often requires proof of residency such as a lease or settlement papers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Media

Is Media, PA a good place to live?

For many people, yes. Media offers a walkable downtown, direct rail and trolley service toward Philadelphia, and big parks nearby. The Census Bureau reports a 4.1% poverty rate and a median household income of $89,092. The main drawbacks are high home prices and limited parking near State Street.

How far is Media from Philadelphia?

Media is about 13 miles west of Philadelphia. By car it’s roughly 15 miles and about 32 minutes to City Hall without traffic, and about 19 minutes to Philadelphia International Airport. SEPTA’s Media/Wawa Line runs from downtown Media into Center City, so many residents skip driving altogether.

What school district is Media in?

Media Borough is in the Rose Tree Media School District, which also serves Edgmont, Middletown and Upper Providence townships. The district’s high school is Penncrest High School. Because Media mailing addresses cover several municipalities, check the district’s boundary for your specific address.

How much does it cost to hire movers in Media?

It depends on how much you’re moving, how far, the number of stairs, and whether you need packing or storage. A second-floor walk-up near State Street takes more time than a ranch house with a driveway. The quickest way to get a real number is a free quote. Call 410-499-8777 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm. You can also read more about local service on our Media movers page.

What is the best time of year to move to Media?

May and late September through October usually bring the most comfortable weather. Summer is the busiest season, so book early if you need a July or August date, especially near the end of the month. Winter moves are doable, but have a backup date in case of snow or ice.

Move to Media With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days.

We handle local moves around Delaware County, long-distance moves with a binding estimate and a guaranteed delivery date, plus packing and unpacking and storage. Learn more about our Media movers, or call our Tri-State team at 410-499-8777.

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Moving to Media, PA: Living in Media Guide