($1,750) Movers From Spokane, WA to Pittsburgh , PA

What to know before moving from Spokane to Pittsburgh

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

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

• Rent prices in Pittsburgh are 3% higher than in Spokane, which means you’ll have less 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 40.8% lower than in Spokane.
• Income in Pittsburgh is 10.7% lower than in Spokane, 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 16.7% lower than in Spokane. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Pittsburgh is 20.1% lower than in Spokane.
• The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh is 7.58% higher than in Spokane.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Pittsburgh , since the city’s sales taxes in Pittsburgh are 22.22% lower than in Spokane.
• State income taxes in Pittsburgh are 3.07% higher than in Spokane.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,498.83 in Pittsburgh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Spokane.

How life is different in Spokane vs. Pittsburgh

• Pittsburgh might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 49% less than Spokane.
• Pittsburgh offers better access to buses and trains than Spokane, based on public transportation ratings. Pittsburgh has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 6 in Spokane. 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 Spokane. Pittsburgh is considered more walkable than Spokane, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 49 out of 100 in Spokane. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Pittsburgh and Spokane are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 55 and 52 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Pittsburgh is higher than in Spokane, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 37.74 in Pittsburgh , it is 3.0 in Spokane. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Pittsburgh than in Spokane, based on Pittsburgh ’s safety index of 62.26 versus 44.94 for Spokane. 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 Spokane 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 Spokane 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