Moving from Arvada, CO to Pittsburgh, PA
The drive from Arvada, CO to Pittsburgh, PA runs 1455 mi β about 26h 4m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1455 mi Β· 26h 4m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 94.671, putting Pittsburgh roughly 10.5% below Arvada on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Pittsburgh: 10.5% below Arvada on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 41.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.5% between Arvada and Pittsburgh (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pittsburgh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 137,860 | $43,230 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 96,800 | $28,940 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 90,050 | $39,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 89,070 | $35,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 79,490 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado 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 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1455 mi and the route typically takes 26h 4m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1455 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 Pittsburgh compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 61.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 43.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 10.5% lower than Arvada (94.671 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Pittsburgh, PA.