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.
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