($1,083) Movers From Indianapolis, IN to Pittsburgh , PA

What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh

Moving from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Indianapolis than in Pittsburgh , making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Indianapolis compares to Pittsburgh so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Pittsburgh are 7% higher than in Indianapolis, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• Home prices are the same in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
• Income in Pittsburgh is 8.1% lower than in Indianapolis, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Pittsburgh include UPMC, The PNC Financial Services Group, and Ppg Industries.
• The cost of living for a single person in Pittsburgh is 24.1% lower than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Pittsburgh is 24.8% lower than in Indianapolis.
• The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh is 26.79% higher than in Indianapolis.
• Sales taxes are the same in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
• One perk of moving to Pittsburgh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 2.54% lower than in Indianapolis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,277.82 in Pittsburgh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.

How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Pittsburgh

• Pittsburgh might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 66% less than Indianapolis.
• Pittsburgh offers better access to buses and trains than Indianapolis, based on public transportation ratings. Pittsburgh has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Indianapolis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Pittsburgh means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Indianapolis. Pittsburgh is considered more walkable than Indianapolis, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Indianapolis. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Pittsburgh is considered more bike-friendly than Indianapolis in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Pittsburgh has a bike-friendliness score of 55 out of 100, while Indianapolis is rated as 43 out of 100.
• Pittsburgh has a lower crime rate than Indianapolis based on scores of 37.74 and Indianapolis's 60.71, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Pittsburgh than in Indianapolis, based on Pittsburgh ’s safety index of 62.26 versus 39.29 for Indianapolis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Indianapolis vs. Pittsburgh move

• Weather: Pittsburgh summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Despite this, it has one of the most pleasant summer climates between medium and large cities in the U.S
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Pennsylvania does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Pittsburgh . Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Pittsburgh

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Birmingham of America", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Pittsburgh .

Helpful moving resources