Moving from Seattle, WA to Pittsburgh, PA
It is 2506 mi and 44h 28m from Seattle to Pittsburgh β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2506 mi Β· 44h 28m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.8% moving from Seattle to Pittsburgh β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $868,680 in Seattle to $237,533 in Pittsburgh, a 14.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 41.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.2Β°F vs 52.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.8% β $121,984 β $64,137 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2506 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 72.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2506 mi and the route typically takes 44h 28m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 14.8% lower than Seattle (94.671 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 47.4% 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Pittsburgh, PA.