Moving from St. Louis, MO to Pittsburgh, PA
Relocating 604 mi from St. Louis to Pittsburgh is a 11h 31m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
604 mi Β· 11h 31m by car Β· PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 79, I 470 |
| Major cities en route | Columbus, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
St. Louis and Pittsburgh sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 41.3" |
Expect 5.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.21 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.4% higher in Pittsburgh than St. Louis.
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 Missouri 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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 16.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 0.4% lower than St. Louis (94.671 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 604 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 St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 604 mi and the route typically takes 11h 31m via I 70 and I 79. 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Pittsburgh, PA.