($1,526) Movers From Lafayette, LA to Pittsburgh , PA

What to know before moving from Lafayette to Pittsburgh

Moving from Lafayette to Pittsburgh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Pittsburgh is generally more expensive than Lafayette, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Pittsburgh are 47% lower than in Lafayette, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Lafayette.
  Home prices in Pittsburgh are 3.8% higher than in Lafayette.
• Income in Pittsburgh is 8.7% lower than in Lafayette, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Pittsburgh , since the cost of living for a single person in Pittsburgh is 19.3% higher than in Lafayette. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Pittsburgh , keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Pittsburgh is 19.1% higher than in Lafayette.
• The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh is 22.41% higher than in Lafayette.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Pittsburgh , since the city’s sales taxes in Pittsburgh are 25.93% lower than in Lafayette.
• One perk of moving to Pittsburgh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 27.76% lower than in Lafayette.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,578.15 in Pittsburgh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lafayette.

How life is different in Lafayette vs. Pittsburgh

• The population of Pittsburgh is about 150% greater than Lafayette, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Pittsburgh offers better access to buses and trains than Lafayette, based on public transportation ratings. Pittsburgh has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 3 in Lafayette. 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 Lafayette. Pittsburgh is considered more walkable than Lafayette, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 42 out of 100 in Lafayette. 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette is rated as 47 out of 100.
• Pittsburgh has a lower crime rate than Lafayette based on scores of 37.74 and Lafayette's 45.75, 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 Lafayette, based on Pittsburgh ’s safety index of 62.26 versus 54.25 for Lafayette. 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Pennsylvania moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Pennsylvania doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Pittsburgh . Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Pittsburgh

Ready to relocate to "Birmingham of America"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Pittsburgh .

Helpful moving resources