Moving from Lakewood, CO to Pittsburgh, PA
It is 1457 mi between Lakewood and Pittsburgh β roughly 26h 6m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1457 mi Β· 26h 6m 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
| Lakewood | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.5% cheaper overall in Pittsburgh than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 41.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.21 |
Pittsburgh households earn about 10.5% less than Lakewood at the median β $85,789 β $64,137 on 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 Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1457 mi and the route typically takes 26h 6m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 58.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood 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.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1457 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 10.5% lower than Lakewood (94.671 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 25.2% lower 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 Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Pittsburgh, PA.