Moving from Spokane, WA to Pittsburgh, PA
Cross-country relocations like Spokane, WA β Pittsburgh, PA cover 2251 mi and about 39h 27m 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.
2251 mi Β· 39h 27m 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 94, I 90, 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
| Spokane | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Pittsburgh are 5.7% below Spokane 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 5.7% under Spokane at $395,325 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 41.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.8Β°F vs 52.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.21 |
Household income lines up β $65,745 vs $64,137 on ACS 5-year 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 the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 5.7% lower than Spokane (94.671 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 2.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 39.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2251 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 Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 2251 mi and the route typically takes 39h 27m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 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 Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Pittsburgh, PA.