Median rent is 10% lower in Pittsburgh ($1,261/mo vs $1,397/mo). Buying is cheaper in Pittsburgh, where the median home runs $205,800 versus $243,100. Households earn more in Pittsburgh ($65,742 vs $61,953 a year). Taken together, Pittsburgh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.7 against 102.4 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Pittsburgh, PA.
Cost of living verdict
Pittsburgh is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.7 in Pittsburgh vs 102.4 in Philadelphia (US national average = 100)
City A
Philadelphia, PA
City B
Pittsburgh, PA
How much would you need to earn in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain your standard of living from Philadelphia, PA?
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$69,390
You could earn $5,610 less (7% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Pittsburgh at $1,261/mo compared to $1,397/mo in Philadelphia (10% gap). Median home values are within 15% of each other: $243,100 in Philadelphia and $205,800 in Pittsburgh.
Metric
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Philadelphia
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Pittsburgh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Pittsburgh has cleaner air on average: 34.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Pittsburgh if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.7 vs 102.4).
Pick Pittsburgh if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,742/yr).
Pick Pittsburgh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 34.0).
Pittsburgh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.7 versus 102.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Pittsburgh.
Median rent is $1,397/mo in Philadelphia, PA and $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh, PA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia, PA and $65,742 in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh, PA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Pittsburgh, PA has better air quality on average: 34.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA is equivalent to roughly $92,520 in Pittsburgh, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
