Moving from Tacoma, WA to Pittsburgh, PA
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Pittsburgh, PA cover 2542 mi and about 44h 53m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2542 mi Β· 44h 53m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| 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
| Tacoma | 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 prices in Pittsburgh are 14.8% below Tacoma β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pittsburgh typical home at $237,533 is 14.8% under Tacoma at $493,840 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 41.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.7Β°F vs 52.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.8% between Tacoma 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 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2542 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 23.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2542 mi and the route typically takes 44h 53m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 51.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 14.8% lower than Tacoma (94.671 vs 111.133, 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Pittsburgh, PA.