Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has an overall cost of living index of 94.7, which is 5.3 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,261 per month, while the typical home is valued around $205,800. Households earn a median of $65,742 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 34. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$65,742
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,261
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$205,800
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
94.7
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,001
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,077
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,299
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,661
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
94.7
Goods
98.3
Rents / Housing
72.6
Services
117.6
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $119,690 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $86,040 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $69,110 |
| ⚡Electrician | $71,150 |
| 📊Accountant | $81,560 |
| 🔧Plumber | $72,550 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $221,760 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $99,810 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $119,420 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $70,150 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $115,360 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $57,930 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $126,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
304,759
Latest estimate
Median Age
33.6 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
34.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,163
Per month
Avg Home Value
$257,480
Census ACS
January Avg
29°F
July Avg
73°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.9
poor
Hospitals
11
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
95.2%
What is the cost of living index for Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 94.7. The US national average is 100, so Pittsburgh is 5.3 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Pittsburgh?
The median gross rent in Pittsburgh is $1,261 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Pittsburgh?
The median household income in Pittsburgh is $65,742 per year.
What is the median home value in Pittsburgh?
The median home value in Pittsburgh is $205,800 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 34.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Pittsburgh?
Tax data for Pennsylvania is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
