Moving from Pittsburgh to Colorado: Costs, Movers, and What to Know
If you're moving from Pittsburgh to Colorado, you're looking at a 1,508-mile haul — well past the threshold where your choice of mover and move type starts to matter as much as your packing job. Costs range from manageable to eye-watering depending on home size and how you go about it.
Before you call anyone, use the moving cost calculator to get a real baseline for your situation. Then come back and read the rest of this.
Local moving companies in Pittsburgh
Of the 11 Pittsburgh-area movers I looked at that handle interstate work, here are the top five equipped for a Pittsburgh-to-Colorado run:
- Don Farr Moving & Storage — 4.52 / 5
- South Hills Movers — 4.44 / 5
- Gardner Moving — 4.48 / 5
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — 4.34 / 5
- All My Sons Moving & Storage — 4.28 / 5
None of these are flawless. Here's what the reviews actually show.
Don Farr Moving & Storage
4.52 / 5 | 1200 Lebanon Road Unit 520, West Mifflin, PA 15122 Yelp | Google | BBB: A+
Don Farr has 43 years in business and a solid DOT number (345157), so it's not a fly-by-night operation. Out of 415 reviews, about 51% are positive — which is lower than I'd want to see. The praise centers on polite, efficient crews who handle the actual move well. The problem shows up after: damage claims, slow follow-through, and complaint processes that frustrate customers. If you've got a straightforward load and don't anticipate needing claims support, you'll likely be fine. If you have irreplaceable items, that 47% negative rate is worth taking seriously before signing anything.
State license: 8922932 | DOT: 345157
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, storage, safes. DOD certified.
South Hills Movers
4.44 / 5 | 3132 Industrial Blvd, Bethel Park, PA 15102 Yelp | Google | BBB: A+
94 years in business — South Hills has been around long enough to know what they're doing. The review picture is considerably cleaner here than at Don Farr: 74% positive out of 180 reviews. Customers single out communication, professionalism, and careful handling. Negatives exist — damage to property, difficult claims resolution, occasional lateness — but they're less frequent. A stronger overall track record for a long run like this.
DOT: 98045
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, art, antiques, crating, storage.
Gardner Moving
4.48 / 5 | 757 Millers Run Rd, McDonald, PA 15057 Yelp | Google | BBB: A+
Gardner has the strongest review profile in this group — 90% positive out of 145 reviews. Customers consistently describe organized crews, transparent pricing, punctuality, and a willingness to work through complications. Rare complaints involve specific item damage or communication gaps when resolving problems. For a 1,500-mile move, reliability and honest pricing matter more than anything, and Gardner scores well on both. In my experience, 90% positive on a reasonable sample size is a signal worth paying attention to.
State license: 00108945 | DOT: 947009
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, art, antiques, crating, storage, fragile-only packing.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
4.34 / 5 | 3555 Valley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 Yelp | BBB: A+
The Pittsburgh franchise runs a tight operation most of the time: 90% positive across 269 reviews. Speed and professionalism come up repeatedly. The complaints — broken items, final bills higher than quoted, inconsistent packing — aren't frequent, but they're consistent enough to mention. Get a binding estimate and review it line-by-line before they load the truck.
State license: 00121505 | DOT: 2527384
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes.
All My Sons Moving & Storage
4.28 / 5 | 150 54th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15021 Yelp | BBB: A
All My Sons sits at the bottom of this list for a reason. The crews themselves get decent marks — efficient, respectful, fast. But more than half (56%) of reviewers came away unhappy, and the pattern is specific: bills that came in double or triple the estimate, no-show or late arrivals, and last-minute cancellations. On a long-distance move where timing cascades into housing arrangements and everything else, that kind of reliability issue is a serious problem. If you use them, get a binding estimate — not a non-binding one — and confirm everything in writing.
State license: 8923758 | DOT: 902281
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, pianos, antiques, crating, storage, safes.
Local moving services in Pittsburgh, PA
A quick picture of what specialty services are available across Pittsburgh's interstate movers:
- Interstate-capable: 9 of 11 (82%)
- Small moves: 6 of 11 (55%)
- Antiques: 6 of 11 (55%)
- Art: 5 of 11 (45%)
- Pianos: 8 of 11 (73%)
- Fragile-only packing: 3 of 11 (27%)
Cost to move from Pittsburgh, PA to Colorado
Here's a breakdown of average price ranges by home size and move type on this 1,508-mile route.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,073 – $4,509 | $931 – $2,335 | $832 – $1,711 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,628 – $6,031 | $1,679 – $3,476 | $956 – $1,976 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,759 – $8,242 | $2,216 – $4,825 | $1,227 – $2,390 |
Approximate estimates based on pricing data as of January 2026. Final cost depends on move size, add-on services, parking access, fuel rates, and scheduling. Always compare multiple quotes.
Cost to hire movers from Pittsburgh to Colorado
Studio or one-bedroom: $1,073–$4,509. Two to three bedrooms: $2,628–$6,031. Four or more bedrooms: $4,759–$8,242.
The ranges are wide on purpose — the gap between a budget regional mover and a national carrier on a 1,500-mile run can easily be $2,000 or more. Comparing long-distance movers before you commit is worth the time.
Cost of moving containers from Pittsburgh to Colorado
Containers are a solid middle-ground option when you want professional transport without paying for a full crew to load and unload. Studio or one-bedroom: $931–$2,335. Two to three bedrooms: $1,679–$3,476. Four or more bedrooms: $2,216–$4,825.
If you're weighing this against full-service, our guide to the best moving containers covers which companies actually serve this corridor well.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Pittsburgh to Colorado
A rental truck is the cheapest option, but you're doing all the driving and all the lifting — including 1,500 miles across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and the plains. Factor that into the decision honestly before you book.
Studio or one-bedroom: $832–$1,711. Two to three bedrooms: $956–$1,976. Four or more bedrooms: $1,227–$2,390. Fuel costs are included in these estimates.
See how the major truck rental companies stack up before picking one.
Factors influencing moving costs from Pittsburgh to CO
Three things move the needle most on this route:
- Move size: A studio move and a four-bedroom house are almost incomparable in cost. Get an accurate inventory before requesting any quotes.
- Time of year: Summer demand pushes prices up and availability down. Moving in late fall or winter usually means better rates and more flexible scheduling.
- DIY vs. professional mover: Hiring movers costs more upfront but protects your time and belongings. Doing it yourself saves money but puts all the labor — and the risk — squarely on you.
What you should know before moving from Pittsburgh to CO
Compare cost of living: Pittsburgh vs. Colorado
The top-line number is almost a wash — Pittsburgh's cost of living index is 92, Colorado's is 91. But the details tell a more complicated story.
| Pittsburgh, PA | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,500 | $1,594 |
| Average home cost | $222,451 | $541,072 |
| Average income (per capita) | $54,306 | $87,598 |
| Cost of living index | 92 | 91 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 4.1% |
| State income tax | 3.07% | 5.49% |
Pittsburgh sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Colorado sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
What those numbers actually mean for your budget:
- Rent is about 6% higher in Colorado. Noticeable, not dramatic.
- Home prices are where moving to Colorado gets expensive — median costs run roughly 143% higher than Pittsburgh. If you're planning to buy, this needs to be front and center in your planning.
- Salaries run about 61% higher in Colorado, which offsets a meaningful chunk of the housing premium.
- Unemployment is 42% lower in Colorado than Pittsburgh — a real advantage if you're job-hunting after the move.
- State income tax is 79% higher in Colorado (5.49% vs. 3.07%). That's a real reduction in take-home pay that doesn't show up in cost-of-living indexes.
How life is different in Pittsburgh, PA from Colorado
| Pittsburgh, PA | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,255 | 5,877,610 |
| Political leaning | Democratic (49.8–48.3) | Democrat (54–46) |
| Summer high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 21°F | 13°F |
| Annual rain | 38" | 16" |
| Annual snow | 28" | 63" |
| Crime index | 37.74 | 36.4 |
Pittsburgh sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces. Colorado sources: Wikipedia, NeighborhoodScout.
A few things worth flagging here:
- Summers are nearly identical in temperature — 84°F vs. 86°F. The real difference is humidity. Pittsburgh summers are thick and muggy; Colorado's are dry and clear. Most people find that trade-off very much in Colorado's favor.
- Winters are colder. A 13°F low vs. Pittsburgh's 21°F isn't massive on paper, but it's consistent. Budget for higher heating costs and better gear.
- Rainfall drops sharply — from 38 inches in Pittsburgh to 16 in Colorado. More sun, fewer gray stretches, less weather-related disruption. If you're used to Pittsburgh's overcast winters, Colorado's sunshine alone tends to be a shock.
- Snow goes up substantially — 63 inches annually vs. 28 in Pittsburgh. The skiing is real, but so is the shoveling and the drive preparation.
- Crime rates are comparable. A statewide index of 36.4 vs. 37.74 is not a meaningful safety difference.
Other considerations when moving to Colorado
A few logistics that are easy to miss until they cause problems:
- HOA rules: Some Pennsylvania neighborhoods and many Colorado communities have specific move-in day restrictions. Confirm with your HOA before scheduling.
- Elevator reservations: If you're moving in or out of a multi-story building, most require advance elevator booking. Check before your move date.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require permits for large moving vehicles on residential streets. Verify local rules at your destination.
- State licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates in-state moving companies. Verify your mover holds a valid Colorado license before signing anything.
- Moving permits: Colorado doesn't require a specific moving permit, but local parking ordinances still apply.
- Change of address: Submit your USPS change-of-address form at least a week before the move so mail follows you to Colorado without a gap.
- Moving insurance: Don't accept the default without understanding what it covers. Released Value Protection — the free option — only compensates $0.60 per pound per item. On a 1,500-mile move, that's not adequate coverage for anything of real value. Ask about Full Value Protection or price out a third-party insurer before the truck rolls.
- Moving checklist: Run through our moving checklist before moving day. It's the easiest way to confirm you haven't missed anything obvious.
Things to do in Colorado
Museums:
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Argo Mill and Tunnel
- Rosemount Museum
- Benson Park Sculpture Garden
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Parks:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Sports teams:
- Denver Broncos (NFL)
- Denver Nuggets (NBA)
- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
- Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
- Denver Barbarians (RSL)
Universities:
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Colorado State University
- University of Denver
- United States Air Force Academy
- University of Colorado Denver
FAQ
How long does a move from Pittsburgh to Colorado take?
Typically 4 to 15 days depending on the service and the time of year. Summer moves can push toward the longer end of that range. Before you book, ask your mover for a specific delivery window — a vague answer is a red flag worth taking seriously.
Can I find movers that build custom crates in Pittsburgh?
Yes — six Pittsburgh movers offer custom crating. It's the right call for artwork, antiques, mirrors, and anything fragile that standard boxes won't protect. When requesting quotes, ask specifically about crate materials, interior padding, and lead times.
What is the best way to get a car from Pittsburgh to Colorado?
Ship it. Driving a second vehicle 1,500 miles adds time, risk, and wear. Use the car shipping calculator to get an estimate on auto transport for this route — it's often more affordable than people expect.
Why are people moving from Pittsburgh to Colorado?
Economic opportunity and outdoor access. Colorado's unemployment rate is significantly lower than Pittsburgh's, salaries run higher, and the combination of mountains, skiing, hiking, and over 300 sunny days a year is a genuine quality-of-life draw that's hard to argue with.
Where can I find long-distance movers for the Pittsburgh to Colorado route?
Start with the five companies I've reviewed above. For a wider set of vetted options, the best long-distance movers page covers national carriers that regularly handle routes of this distance and complexity.
Can I pay cash for a Pittsburgh to Colorado move?
Three Pittsburgh movers accept cash payments, but it's not standard in the industry — most prefer card, ACH, or cashier's check for documentation purposes. Regardless of payment method, expect a deposit upfront to hold your date, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm the full payment schedule before you sign the contract.
Ready to start comparing? Use the moving cost calculator to get a rough number for your home size, then request quotes from at least three movers. The spread between estimates on a move this long is usually significant — and knowing the range before you commit is how you avoid getting caught off-guard.