Median rent is 2% lower in Pittsburgh ($1,261/mo vs $1,281/mo). Buying is cheaper in Pittsburgh, where the median home runs $205,800 versus $294,500. Households earn more in St. Paul ($73,394 vs $65,742 a year). Taken together, Pittsburgh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.7 against 104.3 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Pittsburgh is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.7 in Pittsburgh vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US national average = 100)
City A
Pittsburgh, PA
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Pittsburgh, PA?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$82,599
You'd need $7,599 more (10% higher).
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
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
St. Paul
Minnesota
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh and $1,281/mo in St. Paul. Home buyers face a steeper market in St. Paul: the median home is $294,500 versus $205,800 in Pittsburgh — 30% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Pittsburgh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Pittsburgh has cleaner air on average: 34.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 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 104.3).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize higher median household income ($73,394/yr).
Pick Pittsburgh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 34.0).
Is Pittsburgh cheaper than St. Paul?
Pittsburgh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.7 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Pittsburgh.
How much is rent in Pittsburgh vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,261/mo in Pittsburgh, PA and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. Pittsburgh, PA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Pittsburgh or St. Paul?
Median household income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh, PA and $73,394 in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Pittsburgh, PA has better air quality on average: 34.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Pittsburgh or St. Paul?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Pittsburgh income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Pittsburgh, PA is equivalent to roughly $110,132 in St. Paul, MN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
