Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a cost of living approximately 7% below the national average, making it one of the most affordable major cities on the East Coast.
For the full framework and comparison workflow, use the Cost of Living hub.
Quick Answer: Pittsburgh Cost of Living
| Category | Pittsburgh | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93 | 100 | -7% |
| Housing | 78 | 100 | -22% |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | -1% |
| Utilities | 100 | 100 | 0% |
| Transportation | 102 | 100 | +2% |
| Healthcare | 97 | 100 | -3% |
Index: 100 = national average
Pittsburgh Housing Costs
| Housing Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (city center) | $1,300-$1,800 |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside center) | $950-$1,300 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (city center) | $1,600-$2,200 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (outside center) | $1,200-$1,600 |
| Median home price | $200,000 |
| Median rent | $1,150 |
Pittsburgh Neighborhood Comparison
| Neighborhood | 1BR Rent | Median Home | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Strip District | $1,500-$2,000 | $350,000 | Urban, food markets |
| Lawrenceville | $1,400-$1,800 | $350,000 | Hipster, breweries |
| Shadyside | $1,400-$1,800 | $450,000 | Upscale, boutiques |
| Squirrel Hill | $1,200-$1,600 | $380,000 | Jewish community, walkable |
| East Liberty | $1,300-$1,700 | $280,000 | Gentrifying, Google |
| South Side | $1,100-$1,500 | $250,000 | Bars, young crowd |
| Mt. Washington | $1,200-$1,600 | $220,000 | City views, incline |
| North Side | $1,000-$1,400 | $200,000 | Mexican War Streets |
| Bloomfield | $1,100-$1,500 | $275,000 | Little Italy |
Monthly Expenses Breakdown
| Expense | Single Person | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg) | $1,200 | $1,500 | $1,800 |
| Utilities | $135 | $165 | $210 |
| Groceries | $360 | $620 | $910 |
| Transportation | $320 | $480 | $590 |
| Healthcare | $200 | $390 | $600 |
| Entertainment | $170 | $290 | $440 |
| Total | $2,385 | $3,445 | $4,550 |
Salary Needed to Live in Pittsburgh
| Lifestyle | Single | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival minimum | $34,000 | $50,000 | $65,000 |
| Comfortable | $52,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Living well | $75,000+ | $115,000+ | $145,000+ |
Pittsburgh vs Other Cities
| City | Cost Index | vs Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 93 | — |
| Philadelphia | 110 | +18% |
| Cleveland | 90 | -3% |
| Columbus | 95 | +2% |
| Baltimore | 102 | +10% |
| Washington DC | 152 | +63% |
| Boston | 152 | +63% |
Pittsburgh Income and Employment
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,000 |
| Average salary | $56,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% |
| Top employer | UPMC |
Top Industries in Pittsburgh
| Industry | Major Employers |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | UPMC, Allegheny Health |
| Education | CMU, Pitt, Duquesne |
| Finance | PNC, BNY Mellon |
| Tech | Google, Duolingo, Aurora |
| Robotics | National Robotics Engineering Center |
| Energy | Westinghouse, EQT |
Pittsburgh Taxes
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania state income tax | 3.07% (flat) |
| Pittsburgh local income tax | 3% |
| Sales tax | 7% (Allegheny County) |
| Property tax rate | 2.2% |
Note: Combined income tax (state + local) is 6.07%
Pittsburgh Tech Scene
Pittsburgh has emerged as a tech hub:
| Company | Focus |
|---|---|
| Self-driving cars | |
| Apple | R&D |
| Duolingo | Language learning |
| Aurora | Autonomous vehicles |
| Argo AI (closed) | Former self-driving |
| Many CMU spinoffs | AI and robotics |
Is Pittsburgh a Good Place to Live?
Pros:
- Very affordable for East Coast
- Growing tech scene
- World-class healthcare (UPMC)
- Great universities (CMU, Pitt)
- Friendly, welcoming culture
Cons:
- Cold, gray winters
- Hilly terrain (challenging for some)
- Aging infrastructure/bridges
- Combined 6% local income tax
- Limited transit outside downtown
Related Guides
- What is a good salary in Pennsylvania?
- Cost of living in Philadelphia
- Cost of living in Cleveland
- US Income Percentile Calculator
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