($1,719) Movers From Seattle, WA to Pittsburgh , PA

What to know before moving from Seattle to Pittsburgh

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

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

• Rent prices in Pittsburgh are 24% lower than in Seattle, 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 Pittsburgh .
  Home prices in Pittsburgh are 73.6% lower than in Seattle.
• Income in Pittsburgh is 30.2% lower than in Seattle, 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 43.1% lower than in Seattle. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Pittsburgh is 48.9% lower than in Seattle.
• The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh is 47.92% higher than in Seattle.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Pittsburgh , since the city’s sales taxes in Pittsburgh are 32.37% lower than in Seattle.
• State income taxes in Pittsburgh are 3.07% higher than in Seattle.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,707.75 in Pittsburgh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.

How life is different in Seattle vs. Pittsburgh

• Pittsburgh might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 59% less than Seattle.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Pittsburgh will be about the same as it currently is in Seattle. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Pittsburgh neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Seattle. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Pittsburgh isn’t as walkable as Seattle, which has a score of 74 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Pittsburgh , which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Seattle. While Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, Pittsburgh earned a 55. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Pittsburgh has a lower crime rate than Seattle based on scores of 37.74 and Seattle's 58.88, 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 Seattle, based on Pittsburgh ’s safety index of 62.26 versus 49.23 for Seattle. 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Pennsylvania, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Pennsylvania doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Pittsburgh without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Pittsburgh

With your sights set on "Birmingham of America", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Pittsburgh .

Helpful moving resources