A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Pittsburgh Pennsylvania National
Cost of living9598100
Goods & Services9399100
Groceries10099100
Health care9194100
Housing8291100
Transportation107106100
Utilities125107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Pittsburgh? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Pittsburgh stands at 95, making it 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Pittsburgh closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Pittsburgh can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Pittsburgh Affordable?

Is Pittsburgh an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Pittsburgh is 27% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 3.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Pittsburgh has a median household income of $50,536, which is 8.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pittsburgh?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Pittsburgh, is 17.8% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Pittsburgh cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pittsburgh is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Pittsburgh is 5% lower than the national average
  • Pittsburgh housing is 18% lower than the national average
  • Pennsylvania general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Pennsylvania state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Pittsburgh

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Compare Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$69,784$5,815$1,628$2,094
      Renters$35,577$2,965$830$1,067
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Pittsburgh, PA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Pittsburgh, the median monthly income is $69,784 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,628 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $35,577, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $830 on monthly rental expenses.

      Pennsylvania Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Pennsylvania 6% 8%

      Pennsylvania Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Pennsylvania 3.07% 3.07%

      Goods & Services

      Item Pittsburgh National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.73$24.262.2%
      Beauty Salon $40.40$45.5611.3%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.288.5%
      Movie $11.77$12.133.0%
      Bowling $16.24$18.009.8%

      Groceries

      Item Pittsburgh National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.6%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.47$4.9310.8%
      Pizza $12.83$12.096.2%
      Beer $10.58$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Pittsburgh National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $109.26$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $100.92$135.7825.7%
      Dentist $110.50$113.292.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.45$10.651.9%
      Lipitor $502.54$468.607.2%

      Housing

      Item Pittsburgh National avg. Difference
      Home Price $134,800.00$184,700.0027.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,225.61$2,346.695.2%
      Apartment Rent $984.00$949.003.7%

      Transportation

      Item Pittsburgh National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.73$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $64.05$59.926.9%

      Utilities

      Item Pittsburgh National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $270.68$193.9939.5%
      Phone $196.77$192.252.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Southview, PA3141010.8%
      North Braddock, PA4,7038119.5%
      Duquesne, PA5,5348218.3%
      Rankin, PA1,9488218.2%
      Edgewood CDP, PA2,4548218.1%
      Pittsburgh, PA301,286954.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cincinnati, OH302,687954.7%
      St. Louis, MO304,709909.8%
      St. Paul, MN305,8771022.0%
      Greensboro, NC294,395937.4%
      Gatineau, QC293,695n/a 
      Pittsburgh, PA301,286954.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.