| Index | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 101 | 100 |
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 96, making it 4% 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.
In Pittsburgh, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Pittsburgh will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 17 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Pittsburgh and this is how they responded. 47% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 53% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
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 24.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Pittsburgh has a median household income of $76,799, which is 5.6% 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.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Pittsburgh, the healthcare costs are 1.3% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Pittsburgh starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 3.07%.
The cost of living data for Pittsburgh shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $102,477 | $8,540 | $2,391 | $3,075 |
| Renters | $53,729 | $4,477 | $1,254 | $1,612 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Southview, PA | 325 | 99 | 1.2% |
| North Braddock, PA | 4,860 | 81 | 18.8% |
| Duquesne, PA | 5,736 | 82 | 17.7% |
| Rankin, PA | 2,002 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Edgewood CDP, PA | 2,521 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 96 | 3.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 92 | 8.1% |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 105 | 4.6% |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Greensboro, NC | 304,481 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Anchorage, AK | 302,697 | 132 | 32.0% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 96 | 3.8% |
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