Consistently topping “Most Livable Cities in America” lists (and that has to be a good thing), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serves as both current headquarters of Steeler Nation and future headquarters of you. So, what’s it take to land a pad in this place?
The ‘Burgh is a leftover steel town that feels like a city but operates like a hometown
Consistently topping “Most Livable Cities in America” lists (and that has to be a good thing), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serves as both current headquarters of Steeler Nation and future headquarters of you. So, what’s it take to land a pad in this place?
The ‘Burgh is a leftover steel town that feels like a city but operates like a hometown. The average joe’s tech knowledge (and fashion sense) is about ten to fifteen years behind major cities. If you’re coming here from a bustling metropolis, expect to deal with property management companies directly instead of apartment brokers—these are virtually unheard of in these parts.
Apartment hunting here truly is like hunting. Be prepared to commit both time and energy to pounding the pavement in the real world. Drive through the neighborhoods you’re interested in and keep your eyes peeled for the “For Rent” signs. This sounds like the most antiquated thing in the world—and it really might be—but Pittsburghian landlords aren’t exactly Silicon Valley elite. Inexpensive finds are rented out by people from a generation (or two) ago that don’t need or care to figure out more sophisticated methods: they’re happy waiting for you to call them. Also, be sure to check the classifieds in the Post-Gazette and Pennysaver (did we mention the old-timey technology?).
It’s always easier to find an apartment in the winter (as opposed to the summer or fall) but this is especially true in places that see snow dumps measured in feet—not inches. Pittsburgh is no exception to this rule. If the cold and snow aren’t enough to detour you, think about those all those hills (we’re getting there…)
Don’t underestimate heating costs as you’re scoping out your new digs. In Pittsburgh, the weather will be well under the freezing point for months, and if electric isn’t included in your utilities then keep on looking. 100 year old houses are both very common and very drafty and staying warm can bleed your wallet dry.
Pittsburgh is small (only 56 square miles), but thinking in terms of mileage can be dangerous here. Distance in Pittsburgh is only sort of related to commute time (they’re like second cousins), what’s more important is geography (they’re blood brothers). As a general rule of thumb you’re looking at a long commute if:
You live on a hill. Hills equal winding roads that take forever to transverse and double your commute time in the snow.
You live on the other side of a hill. This means tunnels, and tunnels scare people, and scared people drive slowly and turn five minute commutes into hour commutes. Yes, really.
You’re across a river. There are 446 bridges in Pittsburgh, but only 10 connect to Downtown. Everyone headed between the city proper and its outlying areas gets bottlenecked at these spots making traffic essentially unavoidable if you live on the other side of a river (which is any direction other than east).
If you’re lured to the suburbs by the space and affordable housing make sure you plan the route to your daily destinations (work/grocery store) with as few of the above obstacles as possible. Unless:
If you live north of the Allegheny and east of the Ohio rivers. Here you have a straight shot into the city via I-271.
If you live in the southeast. The T, (subway/tram hybrid) takes you speedily & directly from Downtown to the up-and-coming Dormont area.
Our bike community is making a valiant effort to grow, but hills aren’t shrinking, public transit funding is being cut constantly and cyclists have nasty weather to contend with. It might not be the greenest suggestion in the world, but in Pittsburgh, you should probably drive. Ease your conscious and consider a hybrid.
Pittsburgh’s diversity of distinct neighborhoods rivals that of any major city.
Where the Bros Are: Oakland & Shadyside are college kid territory because like, dude, that’s where Carnegie Melon and the University of Pittsburgh are. Here, thrifty students live in either Fight-Club-style slightly dilapidated mansions with too many roommates or small rundown apartments. You’ll also find some low cost eats and a sliver of high-end shopping on Walnut Street (what someone once hilariously referred to as, “the Rodeo drive of Pittsburgh”) in Shadyside.
Dahntahn: Or “downtown”, to us non-natives, is a handful of blocks crammed with skyscrapers and few housing options. Those that exist are refurbed lofts reserved for young professionals with accompanying budgets. The adjacent Strip District is a hybrid farmer’s market/street bazaar that’s packed with plenty of famous restaurants (Pamela’s Diner, Primanti Bros. and DeLuca’s) and local jewels (Wholey’s Fish Market, La Prima Coffee and the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company).
Hip-check: Lawrenceville & Bloomfield (aka “Little Italy”) blend together and are the heart of all things trendy in the ‘Burgh. The rowhouses of these two areas are filled with the majority of the city’s artists (READ: inexpensive rent) and are sprinkled with boutiques and restaurants. If you’re looking for nightlife of the non-skanky variety, this is your place.
Nuclear Family: Squirrel Hill, Regent Square, & Point Breeze are residential (almost suburban), complete with big yards, old houses, and parks. Highland Park (home to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium) has the same vibe as these other three ‘hoods but is located to the north & is slightly more expensive.
Now, get some Steeler’s gear and throw a few choice Pittsburghese phrases into rotation like “yinzer” or “jag off” and you’re all set! Welcome to the Paris of the Appalachians.
The representation of ethnic minorities in Pittsburgh is lower than the national average. The eight main ethnic groups that make up the population of Pittsburgh are White (63.8%), Black Or African American (20.8%), Two Or More (6.1%), Asian (5.1%), Hispanic Or Latino (3.5%), Other (0.6%), American Indian Or Alaska Native (0.1%), and Native Hawaiian Or Other Pacific Islander (0%).
The representation of ethnic minorities in Pittsburgh is lower than the national average. The eight main ethnic groups that make up the population of Pittsburgh are White (63.8%), Black Or African American (20.8%), Two Or More (6.1%), Asian (5.1%), Hispanic Or Latino (3.5%), Other (0.6%), American Indian Or Alaska Native (0.1%), and Native Hawaiian Or Other Pacific Islander (0%).
Apartment List has released the results for Pittsburgh from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters nationwide, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of the country’s 111 million renters.
These Pittsburgh neighborhoods are insanely popular right now! Renters are hunting down properties in these places.
Pittsburgh is a highly desirable place to live, with a diversified economy, walkable neighborhoods, and multiple higher education options. Consistently ranked among America’s most livable cities and one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh offers a vibrant mix of urban amenities and natural beauty.
Nicknamed “The City of Bridges,” Pittsburgh is located at the meeting point of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers and has over 440 bridges within its city limits. These rivers divide the city into three main areas: the Golden Triangle, the North Side, and the South Side, each with a unique character.
In the Golden Triangle, residents enjoy 24 miles of riverfront trails, Point State Park (the only urban state park in the U.S.), and the iconic Three Rivers Arts Festival, one of the country’s largest free art celebrations. This district is popular for those who love outdoor activities and urban green spaces.
The North Side, a dream for sports enthusiasts, is home to Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park. It’s also rich in cultural landmarks like the Andy Warhol Museum and the Carnegie Science Center, making it a hub for the arts.
The South Side of Steel City is best known for East Carson Street, fondly called the Great American Main Street. A National Historic District, this avenue offers boutiques, galleries, and live music venues within the walls of beautiful Victorian buildings. This vibrant neighborhood is a favorite for nightlife and entertainment.
With so much to enjoy in the city, finding apartment rentals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania requires a thoughtful approach. Instead of simply searching “apartments for rent near me,” you can use Apartment List to streamline your search. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store, then complete our AI-powered Renter Quiz. We’ll match you with listings that fit your budget, preferred amenities, and lifestyle preferences, from pet-friendly units to those with fitness centers and garage parking. With Apartment List, locating your dream rental in Pittsburgh, PA is easier than ever.
The cost of living in Pittsburgh is 2% lower than the national average, making it the 71st most expensive city in the U.S. Residents spend an average of $4,433 per month on essentials like housing, groceries, and transportation.
Rent in Pittsburgh is 7.8% lower than the national median, with a slower growth rate than other popular Pennsylvania cities.
The median rent across the rental market is $1,285/month. Here’s a breakdown by unit size:
There are many affordable neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for budget-conscious renters. For apartment rentals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at lower price points, search popular areas like:
Other neighborhoods with affordable apartments for rent include Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Stanton Heights.
Welcome to the Apartment List December 2024 Rent Report for Pittsburgh, PA. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $1,271, after falling 1.5% last month. Prices are now down 0.5% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the Pittsburgh rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the nation as a whole.
The median rent in Pittsburgh fell by 1.5% over the course of November, and has now decreased by a total of 0.5% over the past 12 months. Pittsburgh’s rent growth over the past year has has fallen behind the state average (0.7%) and is similar to the national average (-0.6%).
Eleven months into the year, rents in Pittsburgh have fallen 1.3%. This is a slower rate of growth compared to what the city was experiencing at this point last year: from January to November 2023 rents had increased 0.1%.
Pittsburgh rents went down 1.5% in the past month, compared to the national rate of -0.8%. Among the nation's 100 largest cities, this ranks #89. Similar monthly rent growth took place in Winston-Salem, NC (-1.4%) and Arlington, VA (-1.5%).
Citywide, the median rent currently stands at $1,108 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $1,350 for a 2-bedroom. Across all bedroom sizes (ie, the entire rental market), the median rent is $1,271. That ranks #71 in the nation, among the country's 100 largest cities.
For comparison, the median rent across the nation as a whole is $1,214 for a 1-bedroom, $1,368 for a 2-bedroom, and $1,382 overall. The median rent in Pittsburgh is 8.0% lower than the national, and is similar to the prices you would find in Houston, TX ($1,297) and New Orleans, LA ($1,269).
Apartment List is committed to the accuracy and transparency of our rent estimates. We begin with reliable median rent statistics from the Census Bureau, then extrapolate them forward to the current month using a growth rate calculated from our listing data. In doing so, we use a same-unit analysis similar to Case-Shiller’s approach, capturing apartment transactions over time to provide an accurate picture of rent growth in cities across the country. Our approach corrects for the sample bias inherent in other private sources, producing results that are much closer to statistics published by the Census Bureau and HUD. For more details, please see the Apartment List Rent Estimate Methodology.
Apartment List publishes monthly rent reports and underlying data for hundreds of cities across the nation, as well as data aggregated for counties, metros, and states. These data are intended to be a source of reliable information that help renters and policymakers make sound decisions. Insights from our data are covered regularly by journalists across the country. To access the data yourself, please visit our Data Downloads Page.
Welcome to the Apartment List December 2024 Rent Report for Pittsburgh, PA. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $1,271, after falling 1.5% last month. Prices are now down 0.5% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the Pittsburgh rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the nation as a whole.
Apartment List has released Pittsburgh’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.
"Pittsburgh’s renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "Interestingly, ratings for Pittsburgh vary widely across categories such as affordability and weather."
Key findings in Pittsburgh include the following:
Renters say:
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
Consistently topping “Most Livable Cities in America” lists (and that has to be a good thing), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania serves as both current headquarters of Steeler Nation and future headquarters of you. So, what’s it take to land a pad in this place?
The ‘Burgh is a leftover steel town that feels like a city but operates like a hometown
View Pittsburgh City Guide
