Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Pittsburgh, PA
It is 869 mi between Minneapolis and Pittsburgh β roughly 16h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
869 mi Β· 16h 9m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Pittsburgh at 94.671 vs Minneapolis at 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $330,882 to $237,533 moving to Pittsburgh.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 41.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.6Β°F moving to Pittsburgh per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 33 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.21 |
Pittsburgh households earn about 9.7% less than Minneapolis at the median β $80,269 β $64,137 on 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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 28.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 9.7% lower than Minneapolis (94.671 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 20.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 869 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 Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 869 mi and the route typically takes 16h 9m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Pittsburgh, PA.