Moving from St. Paul, MN to Pittsburgh, PA
The drive from St. Paul, MN to Pittsburgh, PA runs 862 mi β about 15h 59m 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.
862 mi Β· 15h 59m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 104.822 to 94.671, putting Pittsburgh roughly 9.7% below St. Paul on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 41.3" |
Climate warms by 5.9Β°F on the annual average β 46.5Β°F β 52.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.21 |
Income steps down 9.7%: $73,055 in St. Paul vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh.
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 Minnesota 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
- 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
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 12.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 862 mi and the route typically takes 15h 59m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 9.7% lower than St. Paul (94.671 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 862 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Pittsburgh, PA.