Best Pittsburgh to Detroit Movers

How Much Do Pittsburgh to Detroit Movers Cost?

Moving 285 miles from Pittsburgh, PA to Detroit, MI will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Detroit that already have a booked job heading from Detroit to Pittsburgh. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Detroit from Pittsburgh entirely empty. If you can find a Detroit moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Pittsburgh to Detroit moving option

Hire local Pittsburgh movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Detroit movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Pittsburgh to Detroit move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Pittsburgh to Detroit movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Pittsburgh, PA to Detroit, MI long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Pittsburgh to Detroit moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 31 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Pittsburgh and Detroit areas.

From these 31 companies, we analyzed a total of 4,990 reviews dating all the way back to August 2008.

We also reviewed a total of 11 state and federal moving licenses from these 31 companies and 154 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~4,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 1,930 Pittsburgh to Detroit moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer.

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Pittsburgh to Detroit moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.41/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 3,422 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.22/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 1,107 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.67/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 710 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.26/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 1,198 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.12/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 475 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.54/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 1,290 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

8.92/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 1,947 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.12/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 3,453 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.16/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 2,046 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.74/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 462 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

7.89/10 avg (Pittsburgh & Detroit combined) from 1,660 reviews

From Pittsburgh to Detroit: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Shadyside in Pittsburgh & Midtown in Detroit are both known for their: walkable, college influence & indie shops
• Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood & Detroit's Brush Park both share: revitalized arts district & galleries
• If you're moving from South Side Flats, check out Corktown in the Detroit area for the: riverside nightlife & breweries
• Do you enjoy Highland Park's tree-lined streets & historic homes? You're sure to love Indian Village
• Move from Point Breeze to Palmer Woods and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: quiet residential with large historic homes
• Regent Square & West Village are both known for their: small shops & proximity to parks
• Pittsburgh's Downtown neighborhood & Detroit's Downtown neighborhood both have: central business district & riverwalk

Pros and Cons of Moving from Pittsburgh to Detroit

ConsPittsburgh, PA

• Smaller city vibe
• Higher living costs
• Less diverse industries
• Less sports teams
• Quieter nightlife

ProsDetroit, MI

• Larger city dynamics
• More affordable housing
• Broad job opportunities
• Rich sports culture
• Vibrant nightlife

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Detroit, MI

• Rebuilding culture scene
• Fewer parks
• Less communal vibe
• Higher crime rates
• Struggling school system

Pittsburgh, PA

• Rich cultural scene
• More green spaces
• Stronger community feel
• Lower crime rates
• Better public schools

Pros of moving from Pittsburgh to Detroit

• Say goodbye to the smaller city vibe and hello to the larger city dynamics
• Look forward to moving away from higher living costs and moving to Detroit with more affordable housing
• Swap the less diverse industries of Pittsburgh for broad job opportunities in Detroit
• Get ready for a rich sports culture in Detroit

Cons of moving from Pittsburgh to Detroit

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural scene in Pittsburgh to live with the rebuilding cultural scene in Detroit
• You'll lose out on the pro of more green spaces and have to settle for the con of fewer parks
• Time to bid farewell to the stronger community feel and get used to the less communal vibe in Detroit
• Swap the lower crime rates for the higher crime rates

Pittsburgh vs. Detroit: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Pittsburgh to Detroit, you will be trading the iconic Primanti Bros. Sandwich of Pittsburgh for the equally delicious Detroit-style Pizza of Detroit. And while the locals in Pittsburgh rave about their flavorful Pierogi and sumptuous Haluski, Detroit residents know they have tasty Coney Island Hot Dog and Greek Gyros to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Shawarma of Detroit. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pittsburgh eateries like Primanti Bros., Pamela's Diner, and Church Brew Works. After the boxes are unpacked in Detroit, don't wait too long before making your way to Detroit's acclaimed eateries like Buddy's Pizza, American Coney Island, and Slows Bar BQ.

When comparing lifestyles, Detroit shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pittsburgh. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Detroit compared to what you are used to in Pittsburgh. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Detroit.

Discover Detroit Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Detroit is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Pittsburgh favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Altius, Primanti Bros., and Pamela's Diner in Pittsburgh, we're sure you'll love Iridescence, Lafayette Coney Island, and Dime Store in Detroit. See our Detroit restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Pittsburgh hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Meat & Potatoes, head to Selden Standard on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pittsburgh and Detroit

• The Victorian and Colonial architecture that Pittsburgh is known for will be replaced with the Art Deco and Bungalow architecture typical of Detroit.
• Compared to Pittsburgh's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to universities and hospitals, Detroit real estate listings often highlight features like renovated historic homes.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Detroit is less walkable than Pittsburgh.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Detroit is more bike-friendly than Pittsburgh.
• Detroit has less of an urban feel than Pittsburgh.
• Detroit housing costs are 69% less expensive than they are in Pittsburgh, with a median home price of $71,547 compared to Pittsburgh’s $227,329.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Detroit have increased by 60% compared to a 35% increase in Pittsburgh.
• Rent in Detroit is 12.81% more affordable than in Pittsburgh.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Detroit, MI

1. Corktown : You’ll find plenty of pet-friendly spaces and businesses, making it easy to enjoy outings with your furry friend.
2. Midtown : You and your pet can take advantage of numerous parks and walkable streets, enhancing your daily adventures together.
3. West Village : This neighborhood offers a welcoming community atmosphere with pet-friendly patios and local green spaces for you to explore with your pet.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pittsburgh and Detroit

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pittsburgh to Detroit. Detroit gets 14% more sunshine days than Pittsburgh.
• Detroit has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Pittsburgh.
• Say goodbye to the possible floods and storms in Pittsburgh, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Detroit.
• The average summer high temperature in Detroit is 1 degree warmer than in Pittsburgh.
• The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Pittsburgh.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Detroit since it receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Pittsburgh.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Pittsburgh and Detroit

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Detroit tend to earn about 37% less than in Pittsburgh
• The COLI in Detroit is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Pittsburgh
• The state income tax in MI is 4.25 compared to 3.07 in PA
• The affluence in Detroit is lower compared to moderate affluence in Pittsburgh
• The poverty level is higher in Detroit compared to lower levels in Pittsburgh
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pittsburgh and significant in Detroit

Political and Religious Climate in Pittsburgh vs. Detroit

• Pittsburgh tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Detroit, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Detroit's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a significant Muslim community
• Pittsburgh's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed Christian majorities with growing diverse religious communities

Pittsburgh vs. Detroit Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 8% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Detroit compared to your daily drive in Pittsburgh. That's an annual savings of 1,040 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Detroit to be better than it is in Pittsburgh.
• Public transit is less readily available in Detroit.