Best Cities Near Pittsburgh to Live in 2025

Looking to call the Steel City home? Pittsburgh offers a unique blend of urban amenities and suburban charm, making it a great place to live. But with so many fantastic neighborhoods to choose from, finding the perfect fit can be overwhelming.

In this blog, we'll explore the top cities near Pittsburgh for renters, considering factors like proximity to downtown, affordability, commute times, and access to amenities. We've ordered the list from shortest car commute time and distance to longest, so make sure you read through everything in order to find the best city for you.

All of the rental data included here comes from our internal database of rent estimates, which is available for download. Transit scores come from walkscore.com and census information comes directly from the U.S. Census website.

Cities Near Pittsburgh

1. Dormont

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 4.0 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 12 mins
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 13 mins
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 28 mins
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $815
• Population: 7,930
• Median household income: $73,798
• Walk score: 89
• Bike score: 38

Dormont, a charming borough nestled in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Its tree-lined streets and historic homes make it a highly desirable place to live for those looking to spread out a bit. With more affordable starting rent rates than some other areas, as well as a higher average income, Dormont is an especially great choice for families.

Adding to the area's appeal is easy access to local shops, restaurants, and parks, including the popular Dormont Pool and Recreation Center. Residents also look forward to "Dormont Day," the city's Fourth of July festival and one of the best annual events in the area.

2. Brentwood

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 6.4 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 20 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 26 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 29 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,000
• Population: 9,706
• Median household income: $57,900

Brentwood, another South Hills gem, is renowned for its well-maintained neighborhoods, excellent schools, and distinct historical features. The Point View Hotel, one of the much-loved historic buildings in the area, dates back to 1832 and has hosted Presidents and Generals alike for almost 200 years. The borough's historic district features beautiful homes and architectural details, while its parks and recreational facilities offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Rent may be a bit higher in Brentwood, but still affordable for many. You can find one-bedrooms for around $1,000. Brentwood's central location provides easy access to both Pittsburgh and the surrounding suburbs, making it a convenient choice for commuters and families alike.

3. Swissvale

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 7.3 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 14 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 34 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 32 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $950
• Population: 8,290
• Median household income: $56,594
• Walk score: 74
• Bike score: 37

Swissvale, a diverse city located just east of Pittsburgh, offers a vibrant atmosphere and a growing arts scene. The borough's eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions mean you don't have to compromise on amenities by living outside the big city.

Swissvale's affordable housing options and convenient transportation make it a desirable choice for those seeking a more urban lifestyle. The bus line is reliable and well-connected throughout the city, making places like Swissvale Park especially good for those who want to reduce their dependency on a car. Walking around also offers the opportunity to enjoy the many small, local businesses that line the streets.

4. Munhall

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 7.6 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 18 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 22 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 20 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $825
• Population: 10,380
• Median household income: $47,879
• Walk score: 74
• Bike score: 37

Munhall, a suburban community located along the Monongahela River, offers a peaceful and family-friendly environment. Sandcastle Water Park is a highlight for families, though you'll find plenty for adults to do as well, including axe throwing and paint and sip events.

The borough's well-maintained parks, recreational facilities, and community events provide plenty of opportunities for residents to connect with their neighbors. The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy is a must-see for nature lovers as well.

5. Wilkinsburg

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 8.5 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 16 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 23 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 19 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $750
• Population: 13,813
• Median household income: $46,013
• Walk score: 83
• Bike score: 66

Wilkinsburg, a diverse borough located just east of Pittsburgh, offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. The historic Wilkinsburg Train Station is a local gem that acts as a testament to the incredible preservation of the area. Wilkinsburg's growing arts scene and diverse population contribute to its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

The borough's affordable housing options, along with its proximity to major highways and public transportation, make it a desirable choice for renters. You can find some of the lowest starting rent rates here of any city on our list, with a less than 20 minute commute by car.

6. Baldwin

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 8.2 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 23 mins
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 23 mins
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 37 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,505
• Population: 20,708
• Median household income: $75,139
• Walk score: 27
• Transit score: 25
• Bike score: 15

Baldwin, a suburban borough located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, offers a environment with a rich history. Once a powerhouse of the locomotive industry, today, the city's well-maintained parks, recreational facilities, and strong sense of community make it a popular choice for families with children, and 56% percent of the population is at least married. The South Park in particular is much loved by kids for its fantastic pirate themed equipment.

Baldwin's proximity to major highways and public transportation provides easy access to both Pittsburgh and the surrounding suburbs. However, you may find that you pay slightly more for rent in this area than others on our list.

7. Bethel Park

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 10.1 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 30 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 31 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 35 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,098
• Population: 32,398
• Median household income: $102,177
• Walk score: 31
• Transit score: 30
• Bike score: 16

Bethel Park, another South Hills gem, is known for its excellent schools, beautiful parks, and for renters, a great mix of affordable and luxury units as well as homes for rent. Originally a street car suburb, today, the borough contains a lot of single-family homes, making it a popular choice families in particular.

Bethel Park features South Hills Village, a huge local shopping center that attracts residents from all over, including nearby towns. You'll also find remnants of the city's coal-mining past in places like Green Man's Tunnel, which hosts a single-lane road through a covered passage.

8. West Mifflin

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 11.3 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 26 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 28 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 42 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $825
• Population: 18,916
• Median household income: $64,313
• Walk score: 24
• Transit score: 32
• Bike score: 13

West Mifflin, a suburban community located along the Monongahela River, offers a peaceful environment full of natural beauty. It hosts an amusement park called Kennywood that attracts visitors from all over the region and makes the area especially popular with families.

The borough's community events provide plenty of opportunities for residents to connect with their neighbors. West Mifflin's proximity to major highways and public transportation makes it a convenient choice for commuters, since you can commute into Pittburgh via public transit almost as fast as you can by car.

9. Franklin Park

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 13.4 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 21 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,413
• Population: 15,024
• Median household income: $158,052
• Walk score: 6
• Bike score: 6

Franklin Park, located in Allegheny County, offers a laid-back environment that's less than a half hours drive from the city. Nearby Marshall Lake is a major draw for residents and visitors alike, though you'll find parks throughout the city as well. Blueberry Hill Park features a beautiful Gazebo that you can reserve for private events.

You'll also find some great historic buildings like the Jones-Neeely Log House. Residents also tend to have a higher median household income than other cities on this list. Rent is also higher in this area as the market features a lot of large single-family homes.

10. Plum

• Distance from Pittsburgh: 18.9 miles
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via car: 30 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via public transport: 33 minutes
• Commute time to Pittsburgh via bike: 1 hour 16 minutes
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $900
• Population: 26,391
• Median household income: $91,931
• Walk score: 13
• Bike score: 10

Plum, the second-largest borough in the state and located in Allegheny County, is a quite town that's especially loved by retirees, though you'll also find a strong school system as well. Plum's Boyce Park is one of the area's most popular destinations for skiing and snowboarding.

With six different parks to choose from, you can also enjoy a lot of fishing and boating, and the year-round opportunities for outdoor adventuring attracts tourists that later convert ot residents. You'll also find affordable apartments here and a higher average income than other areas.

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