Moving from Kent, WA to Pittsburgh, PA
It is 2526 mi and 44h 33m from Kent to Pittsburgh β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2526 mi Β· 44h 33m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, 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
| Kent | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Pittsburgh at 94.671 vs Kent at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $656,314 to $237,533 moving to Pittsburgh.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 41.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Kent (53.8Β°F) and Pittsburgh (52.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.8% β $90,416 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 Washington 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.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Kent vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $90,416 in Kent β a 29.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 14.8% lower than Kent (94.671 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2526 mi and the route typically takes 44h 33m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2526 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $656,314 in Kent β a 63.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Pittsburgh, PA.