Quick Stats About Pittsburgh
Often stuck in the shadow of its older sister to the east, Pittsburgh may not be the bigger sibling, but it has the spark and character of a city many times its size.
The Steel City earned its moniker from manufacturing giants like Alcoa and U.S. Steel, whose founding industrialists-turned-philanthropists would eventually lend their names to some of the Northeast’s most important cultural institutions, including the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.
Though the economic tides have often rocked Pittsburgh to its iron core, the job market is strong, and unemployment is still at historic lows. Pittsburgh’s diverse industry base now includes commercial innovators from food manufacturing, like Kraft Heinz, to those in clean energy and robotics. But thanks to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and other institutions, education and healthcare are the real powerhouses in the Steel City, employing more residents than any other industry.
When you’re not at work, Pittsburgh is a fun place to be, inside and out. There are nearly 200 parks to explore in this gorgeous, hilly area of western Pennsylvania, where three rivers meet. Spend the weekend hiking and camping, or sneak in a little kayaking or golf on a Friday afternoon.
Or spend your downtime in one of Pittsburgh’s top new restaurants, like the Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District. Check out a quirky festival, like Pickleburgh. Or just pick up some fresh produce and pastries from one of the famous markets before heading back to a lazy Saturday in your turn-of-the-last-century Victorian home.
And, of course, there are the Pirates, the Penguins and the Steelers. It’s not every city that has three major-league championship teams.
All of these amenities have earned the city of 300,000 high marks for fun, travel, and even as a place to retire.
Whether you want to live in the glitzy Golden Triangle downtown, in an artsier area like Lawrenceville, or in the university districts, Pittsburgh has so much to offer new residents. Learn more about the Steel City below — the public transportation options, the weather, the cost of living, moving tips and more.
Read on to see why Pittsburgh could be the relocation destination for your family.
Pittsburgh’s Climate and Weather
Unlike the city itself, which is full of surprises, Pittsburgh’s weather delivers pretty much what you might expect for an inland, northeastern city.
There are four true seasons, with a cold and frosty winter and warm summer, and a gorgeous spring and fall. But this Rust Belt city is no stranger to gritty weather, from hurricane-force winds to white-out blizzards. In 2020, an early April storm produced wind gusts of 75 mph, snapping trees and power lines. In February of 2010, nearly two feet of snow brought the city to a standstill.
But in an ordinary winter, temperatures from December through February usually hover between the upper 20s and upper 30s, and residents will see an average of only 40 inches of snow over the course of the season, usually in small, manageable amounts.
In the summertime, Pittsburgh residents are often spared the brutal heat of their near neighbors. High temperatures here average only in the low 80s in the middle of July, but the concrete jungle does make that feel hotter. With the increasing effects of climate change making heat domes the new normal, you can certainly expect the mercury to jump above 90°F, on occasion.
Pittsburgh’s Cost of Living
Compared to other major U.S. cities in the Northeast, like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York, Pittsburgh seems like an astonishingly affordable place to live. Housing offers the greatest savings. The median home value in Steel City is just $171,800 and the median rent is less than $1200/month. Homes in the Big Apple now average more than $730,000 and Beantown prices aren’t much better, averaging $684,000. (Learn more about housing in Pittsburgh in the Unique Communities Section below.)
Another plus: Pittsburgh also has high educational rates. 94% of residents have graduated from high school and nearly 50% have earned a bachelor’s degree or more. But, at $60,187, income levels in the city are $15,000 below the national average and poverty is 8 points higher, so you may have fewer dollars to spend, depending on your industry.
The average hourly wage in Pittsburgh is $29.60 — slightly lower than the U.S. average — and common household expenses like food, healthcare, and personal insurance/pensions cost more in the Northeast, so budget accordingly.
Job Opportunities in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s city population is still just a hair over 300,000 — less than half of what it was during its heyday in in the 1950s — but the greater metro population has now swelled to 2,356,285, making for a sizable workforce that’s more diversified than ever.
The biggest industry in the Steel City is now education and healthcare, which employs nearly 260,000, thanks to institutions like the University of Pittsburgh, the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Highmark Health. Trade, transportation and utilities saw modest gains over the past year, and it now employs 204,000 residents. Pittsburgh’s third-largest sector — professional and business services — contracted nominally since April of 2023, but still employs 187,000 people.
Employment rates in the city are still robust, and Pittsburgh’s unemployment rate held steady at 2.9% — more than a half a point below the national average. This is, in part, thanks to the ever-diversifying industry base, which is expanding not just with products and services but with production technology. Metal giants like Alcoa and U.S. Steel are headquartered in Pittsburgh, but so is GNC, PNC, Wesco Intl and Kraft Heinz, (co-headquartered in Chicago).
In addition to these international powerhouses, Pittsburgh’s businesses are building for the future, with companies specializing in climate tech and decarbonization, energy, robotics and AI. If there’s a burgeoning industry you’ve been burning to break into, chances are, there are career opportunities in that field in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s Unique Communities
Knowing that one of Pittsburgh’s greatest assets is its low cost of housing, finding the right neighborhood to move to can still be a challenge. But luckily, there are 90 options to choose from. We’ll help you narrow it down.
Downtown Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh sits in the nook of the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers, creating what’s familiarly known as the Golden Triangle. This lively district is bound by Point State Park, a National Historic Landmark with buildings dating back to the 18th century as well as beautiful trails and river vistas. With easy access to the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, Duquesne University, the Heinz History Center and the PPG Paints Arena, Downtown is a walkable, desirable district. One of our favorite casual spots is the Sienna Mercato, a three-story Italian joint that serves meatballs on the first floor, sandwiches and pizza on the second and refreshing cocktails on the rooftop. Or try the Mexican-Asian fusion at Tako, like the Korean flank steak tacos with red dragon glaze and peanut salsa or the cinnamon churro with miso-caramel and smoke chili chocolate sauces for dipping. Downtown housing encompasses apartments, exclusive, multi-million-dollar penthouses and a wide range of condominiums, starting in the upper $100s for a modest high-rise with a doorman.
Strip District
In the nearby Strip District (or The Strip), you’ll find lots of new construction. Multi-story townhomes gild the riverbanks and spacious lofts await your funkiest touches. The Pittsburgh Opera is located here, but the real reason to visit this hotspot is the markets. The old produce market known as The Terminal dates back to the 20s, but it’s been transformed into a swanky venue for shopping and entertainment. You’ll find everything from groceries to books to boxing classes here. You can start and end your day at De Fer Coffee & Tea, where the café turns from caffeine to cocktails by the evening hours. Or you can just order one of their coffee old fashioneds and have it both ways. For more substantial fare, try the PA market, where woodfired delights, wine and charcuterie await.
Lawrenceville
Just up the river, artsy Lawrenceville will tempt you with more culinary delights — pastries from La Gourmandine, the Pulpo a la Plancha at Morcilla, the boar-stuffed banana peppers at Piccolo Forno. After the sun goes down, catch some live music at the Thunderbird Café & Music Hall. In this hip area, you’ll find contemporary new condos adjacent to historic brick townhouses and colorful row houses with loads of charm. Those looking to be in the center of the action can find a spot above their favorite coffee house or bar, but the neighborhood has plenty of quieter spots tucked away, too.
Allegheny
Allegheny is an easy walk across the river from downtown. With its gold arches, the newly refurbished Roberto Clemente Bridge is a true Pittsburgh icon, and it makes accessing cultural spots on either side of the river easy. The Steelers and the Pirates are the favorite residents of West Allegheny, where you’ll also find the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center and the National Aviary. East Allegheny is more residential, and small businesses and dining spots are interspersed with eclectic townhomes, from gorgeous brick to wonky clapboards and industrial live-work spaces.
Squirrel Hill
Not far from downtown, Squirrel Hill is really a college town, where you’ll find students and faculty from Carnegie Mellon grabbing breakfast at Pigeon Bagels or cardamom buns from Five Points. This diverse residential neighborhood has a prominent Jewish population and is situated pleasantly between two major greenspaces — Schenley Park, home of the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and Frick Park, home of the famous Blue Slide; and adjacent to the Frick, where you’ll find some of the best art in the city. In Squirrel Hill South, you’ll find cozy bungalows and spacious single families in a range of prices, styles and conditions. You’ll spend more and (sometimes) get more in Squirrel Hill North, where you’ll find sprawling estates, renovated Spanish-Colonial revivals and well-appointed townhomes.
Shadyside
Just north of Squirrel Hill in the Chatham University area, the Shadyside neighborhood in the popular East End district is a perfect mix of residential and commercial. Gorgeous old Victorian homes mingle with well-appointed townhomes and affordable condominiums in nifty apartment buildings from the 1920s and 30s. You’ll find fun restaurants like Point Brugge, Noodlehead and the Café Moulin creperie, and don’t forget to shop at our favorite spot — Amazing Books and Records.
Note: If you’re thinking of moving to Pittsburgh, it’s important to thoroughly research neighborhoods or areas in the city you might be interested in living. Before you decide where you are going to live, make sure you understand the area’s cost of living, commute time, tax rates, safety statistics and schooling information.
Getting Around Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s Regional Transit, or PRT, has just gotten a major makeover, and both the appearance and the amenities of the system have been improved. The PRT has a 3-line light rail system and a robust network of buses, but they’ve also got something that most cities don’t — a funicular. Thanks to the Allegheny mountains, Pittsburgh can be a very hilly place, and its two incline railways — the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline help pedestrians bypass two of the steepest spots. But the inclines are also great to ride just for fun — you’ll get a spectacular view of the city from the top.
To ride any PRT services, the standard fare is $2.75, which gets you three hours of unlimited rides if you’ve used Connectix or your ConnectCard (cash payments make the fare one-way only). A day pass is $7, a weekly pass is $25, a 31-day pass is $97.50, and an annual pass is $1072.50.
All buses now have bike racks, thanks to two decades of hard work by BikePGH, and cyclists will have more than 150 miles of bike infrastructure in the city by 2030, from dedicated bike lanes to greenways.
Outside the PRT, Pittsburgh is easily navigable by car, train and plane. Commuting times in the city are lower than the national average and nearly 10 minutes faster than in congested Philadelphia. On average, Pitt residents take only 23.4 minutes to get to work. Amtrak offers easy connections to those with business travel in Ohio or up the East Coast. And each day, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIA) offers 135 non-stop flights to domestic destinations as well as to cities in Canada as well as Reykjavik and London.
Recreation in Pittsburgh
Sports
Pittsburgh may only have 300,000 residents, but it has the pro-sports scene of a city three times its size. First, the Steelers. No team has won more Super Bowls than the Pittsburgh Steelers, better known as the Sixburgh Steelers for their half-dozen championship titles. The NFL team plays at Acrisure Stadium, formerly known as Heinz Field.
Then, there’s the MLB. The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t been on a winning streak in a while, but that doesn’t diminish their five World Series wins. You can catch their games at PNC Park.
Finally, the NHL. Another five-time champ, the Pittsburgh Penguins brought home the Stanley Cup in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016 and 2017. You’ll want to get season tickets to their games at the PPG Paints Arena.
Outdoors
In this hilly, industrial city, you might not expect much in the way of outdoor fun, but that’s where Pittsburgh will surprise you. From quiet, neighborhood spots to major tourist destinations, the Steel City has 176 parks across the region. That means you could visit a different park every weekend for more than three years! You can put that on your to-do list as soon as you’ve unpacked from the move.
In West Pittsburgh, Sheriden Park is a longstanding favorite, beloved for its towering, mature trees, its swimming pool and its fun skate park.
Situated on the southern banks of the Allegheny, the Victorian jewel that is Highland Park is where you’ll find the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. But it’s also where you’ll love to take your morning jog around the reservoir, and it might be your favorite picnic spot on cool summer evenings. There’s even a swimming pool and a dog park.
Known as Pittsburgh’s grand dame, Schenley Park has a royal presence in the university district. The iconic Phipps Conservatory is like walking through a gemstone, but the park’s many other amenities make this venue an everyday destination for residents. There’s an 18-hole golf course, an ice-skating rink, courts for tennis and pickleball, and lots of playgrounds and public art.
The city supports lots of family-friendly events to help you get the most out of these special places. Sign up for the summer mushroom walk in Frick Park. Or see a movie in the moonlight at McKinley Park.
Outside the parks system, Pittsburgh still knows how to have a good time. If you like amusement parks, Kennywood is the place to get your roller coaster thrills. If festivals are more your bag, you won’t want to miss the annual WonderWorks Music & Arts Festival, headlined in 2024 by Hozier, Jason Mraz and The Head and the Heart. Or join 40,000 of your sweatiest running buddies for the Pittsburgh Marathon. Better yet, watch competitors coast through the finish line in old-school style at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.
Arts and History Museums
Pittsburgh is a standout when it comes to cultural attractions. There are the world-class Carnegie Museums, which include the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the kid-favorite Carnegie Science Center. In addition to the expected mind-expanding exhibitions here, the museum’s charming mini-railroad village is a true crowd-pleaser, especially the replica of Fallingwater. Frank Lloyd Wright’s original is only an hour and a half outside the city, which makes for an easy daytrip.
Pittsburgh’s more curious destinations are no less popular. Take Bicycle Heaven — a museum and repair shop where wheels of the past get the respectable afterlife they deserve. They’ll even fix up your ride with snazzy, vintage gear. Stingray banana seat cushion, anyone?
And don’t forget Pittsburgh’s many historic sites. In addition to landmarks like the Heinz History Museum, Gen X and Millennials can pay tribute to their beloved childhood icon, Mr. Rogers, at his statue, located just south of Acrisure Stadium along the river.
Literary lovers will want to visit the August Wilson House in the Hill District, to see where the famed playwright of Fences spent his early years.
And don’t pass by one of the oldest sites in the city — the Fort Pitt Block House. This 250-year-old structure is all that remains of the stronghold, but boy, have those bricks and stones seen a thing or two since 1764.
How to Have a Stress-Free Move to Pittsburgh
Are you ready to make the Steel City your new home? If so, hiring a professional, reputable moving company can really simplify your relocation. United Van Lines can help you understand online moving quotes and give you pro-tips on things to watch out for when you move.
Get a moving quote now for Pittsburgh.
As America’s #1 Mover®, United Van Lines has moved millions of families across the U.S. We can help move your family to Pittsburgh from anywhere in the country. Our full-service moving packages streamline the moving experience with concierge services like a move coordinator, so you can concentrate on settling into your new home. All the details of your move are accessible from the United Van Lines Move Portal, so you’ll always know where you are in the move process.
Moving cross-country to Pittsburgh? Our custom moving packages for long-distance movers can include services like storage, car shipping, and debris removal along with packing & unpacking.
Moving locally to Pittsburgh? United Van Lines’ interstate Pittsburgh movers can provide local moving services in the greater Pittsburgh metro area independently under their own businesses and brands.
Don’t wait for the big day to arrive to start planning for other parts of your move. Wondering how your family will acclimate to the move? Need house-hunting tips? Our experts dive deep in the United Van Lines moving blog.
Want up-to-the-minute advice on packing strategies and settling into your new home? Read the latest issue of our digital magazine, House Key.
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