Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Pittsburgh, PA
Relocating between Philadelphia, PA and Pittsburgh, PA is a 303 mi drive — 5h 47m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
303 mi · 5h 47m by car · PA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, PATP, US 1 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.7% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Pittsburgh at 94.671 vs Philadelphia at 102.554.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $231,815 vs $237,533.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 41.3" |
Expect 5.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.21 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.7% higher in Pittsburgh than Philadelphia.
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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 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 Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 7.7% lower than Philadelphia (94.671 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 303 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 2.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 303 mi and the route typically takes 5h 47m via I 76 and PATP. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Pittsburgh, PA.