Moving from Fargo, ND to Pittsburgh, PA
The drive from Fargo, ND to Pittsburgh, PA runs 1107 mi β about 20h 31m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1107 mi Β· 20h 31m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pittsburgh and Fargo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pittsburgh is 4.2% below Fargo β $314,973 vs $237,533 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 41.3" |
Climate warms by 11.0Β°F on the annual average β 41.4Β°F β 52.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.21 |
Median household incomes in Fargo ($66,029) and Pittsburgh ($64,137) are within a few percent (ACS 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 North Dakota 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 4.2% higher than Fargo (94.671 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1107 mi and the route typically takes 20h 31m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1107 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 24.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 2.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Pittsburgh, PA.