Moving from Kansas City, KS to Pittsburgh, PA
A move from Kansas City, KS to Pittsburgh, PA covers 853 mi and around 16h 18m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
853 mi Β· 16h 18m by car Β· PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 270, I 79 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Pittsburgh and Kansas City 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 2.3% above Kansas City ($237,533 vs $198,195 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 41.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Kansas City (56.9Β°F) and Pittsburgh (52.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.21 |
Median household income in Pittsburgh is 2.3% above Kansas City ($59,183 β $64,137, 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 Kansas 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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 853 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 Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $198,195 in Kansas City β a 19.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 853 mi and the route typically takes 16h 18m via I 70 and I 270. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 2.3% higher than Kansas City (94.671 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 8.4% higher 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· Pittsburgh, PA.