Moving from Denver, CO to Pittsburgh, PA
Relocating 1448 mi from Denver to Pittsburgh is a 25h 58m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1448 mi Β· 25h 58m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.5% moving from Denver to Pittsburgh β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $539,666 in Denver to $237,533 in Pittsburgh, a 10.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denver | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 41.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.4Β°F vs 52.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.5% β $91,681 β $64,137 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Denver to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1448 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1448 mi and the route typically takes 25h 58m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $91,681 in Denver β a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 10.5% lower than Denver (94.671 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $539,666 in Denver β a 56.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO Β· Pittsburgh, PA.