Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Philadelphia, PA
It is a 303 mi drive, roughly 5h 47m, between Pittsburgh, PA and Philadelphia, PA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
303 mi Β· 5h 47m by car Β· PA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, PATP, US 1 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pittsburgh | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.671 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.711 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.684 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.986 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Philadelphia runs about 8.3% more expensive overall than Pittsburgh β RPP 94.671 β 102.554.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Philadelphia ($231,815) sits close to Pittsburgh ($237,533) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Pittsburgh -0.4%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pittsburgh | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.3" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 5.3Β°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pittsburgh | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $64,137 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.21 | 2.36 |
Households in Philadelphia earn about 8.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh β a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Pittsburgh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $237,533 in Pittsburgh β a 2.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Pittsburgh, PA?
The driving distance is 303 mi and the route typically takes 5h 47m via I 76 and PATP. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Pittsburgh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 1,071,900 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Pittsburgh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 8.3% higher than Pittsburgh (102.554 vs 94.671, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 303 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pittsburgh.
City profiles: Pittsburgh, PA Β· Philadelphia, PA.