Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Pittsburgh, PA
Cross-country relocations like Salt Lake City, UT β Pittsburgh, PA cover 1847 mi and about 32h 26m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1847 mi Β· 32h 26m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| 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
| Salt Lake City | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Pittsburgh is 6.1% cheaper than Salt Lake City overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Pittsburgh is 6.1% below Salt Lake City β $573,181 vs $237,533 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 41.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8Β°F) and Pittsburgh (52.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 33 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.21 |
Income steps down 6.1%: $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh.
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 Utah 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1847 mi and the route typically takes 32h 26m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 1847 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 6.1% lower than Salt Lake City (94.671 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 58.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Pittsburgh, PA.