Moving from San Francisco, CA to Pittsburgh, PA
Cross-country relocations like San Francisco, CA β Pittsburgh, PA cover 2606 mi and about 46h 1m of driving through 10 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.
2606 mi Β· 46h 1m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Pittsburgh are 18.1% below San Francisco β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Pittsburgh typical home at $237,533 is 18.1% under San Francisco at $1,356,662 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 41.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.2Β°F vs 52.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.1% between San Francisco and Pittsburgh (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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 far is Pittsburgh, PA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2606 mi and the route typically takes 46h 1m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2606 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 San Francisco vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 54.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 18.1% lower than San Francisco (94.671 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 82.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Pittsburgh, PA.