Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA [2025]

Are you considering a move to Pittsburgh, PA? If so, you're choosing an exciting journey into the Steel City. But with a new city can also come unknowns - like how far your paycheck will take you in a more urban hotspot. So whether it's rent prices that weigh heavily on your mind or you want to know what groceries cost, we've got all the details to help make your decision easier. Here's a complete guide to the cost of living in Pittsburgh for success when you make your move!

Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA

What Is the Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA?

The cost of living in Pittsburgh, with residents spending on average $4,554 a month to live in the city. We also looked Here's a look at the cost of living categories. Pittsburgh is currently 8.2% lower than the national average and 3.0% lower than the rest of Pennsylvania. Here's a look at what to expect across cost of living categories:

Highest Cost of Living in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is an affordable city, but there are some areas that are more expensive than others. Among the priciest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh to live in is Shadyside, where you'll spend an average of $1,540 a month on rent.

Lowest Cost of Living in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is already affordable, but you can find cheaper neighborhoods to save even more. Currently, North Braddock is among the cheapest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, where rents start at $1,100 a month.

How Much Is Rent in Pittsburgh?

Currently, the overall median rent in Pittsburgh as of December 2024 is $1,154. One-bedroom median rent hovers around $960 whereas two-bedrooms are closer to $1,195 a month.

How Much is Rent for a 1-Bedroom Apartment in Pittsburgh, CO?

If you consider our latest rental data from December 2024, you'll find the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment is $960. This figure shows a slight decline in rents month-over-month and year-over-year.

How Much is Rent for a 2-Bedroom Apartment in Pittsburgh, CO?

If you want the added space of a two-bedroom apartment, you'll spend a median price of $1,195 for a two-bedroom apartment as of December 2024.

How Much Is a House in Pittsburgh?

The Pittsburgh housing market is also seeing steady growth, with median home prices currently at $204,700, which is less than Pennsylvanias median home rent of $242,800. It's also significantly less than the U.S. median housing price of $338,100.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Pittsburgh?

You can use the price of rent in an area to estimate the salary you need for an area. To live comfortably, you should not spend more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent to live comfortably. So if your rent is close to the median for a one-bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh and costs $960, your monthly wages should be at least $38,400 pear year, $3,200 month, or $18.46 an hour.

According to our data, however, the average Pittsburgh resident spends $4,554 a month, or $54,648 a year. Therefore, you may find you need to earn more than the minimum for a one-bedroom in order to keep up with the average Pittsburgh lifestyle.

If you know what type of lifestyle you plan to lead in Pittsburgh, you can figure out your recommended salary. The living wage in Pittsburgh is $21.13 per hour, which is the basic wage required to pay for essentials such as housing, food, and other necessities. Remember that the living wage is based on a frugal life and does not account for any extra costs like dining out or entertainment.

It's also wise to consider the U.S. Census Bureau data. The median household income in Pennsylvania is $64,137 a year or $30.84 an hour. You can compare that to the U.S. median household income of $78,538 a year or $37.76 an hour.

How Much Is Transportation in Pittsburgh?

If you're a single adult without children and you own your own car, you'll spend about $9,536 for transportation in Pittsburgh over a year. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $15,995 for transportation in one year.

However, public transit is also a great option in Pittsburgh. The downtown area is compact, making the well-integrated transportation system easy to navigate via public transit. The city offers traditional modes of public transportation like buses and trains, as well as a more modern approach via light rail and Zipcars.

The public transit agency for the greater Pittsburgh area is the Port Authority of Allegheny County, serving over 230,000 riders daily. You can catch a one-way ride for $2.50 utilizing the reusable plastic transit card known as ConnectCard. Frequent riders can pick up passes, offered daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.

The Port Authority also offers ConnecTix, limited-use smart cards purchased at ConnectCard machines. Single trips cost $2.50, and riders can purchase up to a 10-trip pass for $25.

How Much Are Food Costs in Pittsburgh?

In Pittsburgh, single adults without children can expect to spend at least $4,537 on food per year. However, if you're a family of four with two working adults and two children, you can expect to pay $13,335 per year for food.

Pittsburgh has a diverse culinary scene, with many well-known dishes that have become famous. While living in the city, it’s worth checking out some famous dishes like the Pittsburgh Salad, the Primanti Brothers, or pierogies.

Thankfully, dining out in Pittsburgh is relatively cheap, costing an average of $15 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. A three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant will run $60 without alcohol or dessert.

You can anticipate costs similar or slightly above the national average for food items purchased from the local East End Food Co-Op, the Market District Supermarket, or Reyna Foods. For example, one gallon of regular milk will run you $4.25 in the grocery store, with the national average being $3.87.

How Much Is Healthcare in Pittsburgh?

A single adult without children will pay around $3,219 for medical care over the year, while two working adults with two children will pay $9,360.

Regardless of where you decide to call home, your health should always be a top priority. As such, healthcare is an additional cost worth noting when looking at the cost of living. Whether you visit your doctor minimally or have a medical condition requiring you to see them more regularly, having medical insurance in Pittsburgh will help keep your costs more manageable.

Additionally, health insurance can help ensure you can afford the care you need should any emergencies arise in your new hometown.

How Much Are Utilities in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $226.90 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment. That's less than the national average of $207.07. Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $69.58.

The climate in Pittsburgh varies drastically throughout the year. The summers are warm and partly cloudy, while the winters are frigid and bring a lot of snow. The coldest month in Pittsburgh is January, with an average overnight low temperature of 19.9°. Conversely, the hottest month of summer is July, where the average daytime high is typically 82.7°. Because the summers are humid and muggy and the winters are often below freezing, you'll need to account for higher utilities in the winter.

These costs can add up quickly over time, which is why it’s a good idea to understand how much utilities will cost in an apartment before making your move. Having this information allows you to budget accordingly for this often overlooked expense.

Pittsburgh Fitness and Entertainment Costs

The city of Pittsburgh has fitness and entertainment opportunities for everyone. However, considering the harsh winter, you might want to spend your winters in a local gym for workouts. You’ll want to consider club membership costs at Fitness Factory, Celli’s Fitness Center, Union Fitness, or others in the area. Thankfully, these costs are relatively low, with a fitness club membership fee for one adult costing $43.33 monthly.

If you’re looking for some entertainment, you can purchase a seat at the local cinema for $15 without snacks or drinks. Otherwise, check out a professional sports game, watching the NFL Steelers, the NHL Penguins, or the MLB Pirates.

Pittsburgh also has tons of other, more affordable entertainment options. You can visit museums, including some of the most popular like the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, or the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. The city also has several parks to enjoy for those who prefer to stay outdoors as weather permits, including Frick Park, Emerald View Park, and Riverview Park.

Other Expenses to Consider in Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate of 3.07%, which is the lowest in the country! Pennsylvania has a 6.00% sales tax, and Allegheny County adds another 1.00% on top of that, making Pittsburgh’s sales tax rate 7.00%.

If you are moving from out of state, make sure to pay attention to additional costs that can add up, like cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Cross country moves may also require even more fees, such as apartment application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and other add-ons. Be aware of these extra costs so you can add them to your budget as needed.

Another overlooked expense to consider is furnishing your new apartment. You can find tips on how to decorate your apartment on a budget to help keep you in line and avoid spending too much.

Job Market in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has a slightly less healthy job market than similar-sized metro areas. Some of the city’s largest employers include hospitals and healthcare systems, including Allegheny Health Network, St. Clair Hospital, Highmark, and UPMC. Other major employers in the greater Pittsburgh area include Google, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Carnegie Mellon University.

The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh is 3.70, which is slightly above the current national average of 3.4%. Not surprisingly, this rate took a significant hit due to the pandemic. Thankfully, Pittsburgh sees a steady recovery as businesses begin opening once again.

Looking for an Apartment in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh might be the place for you if you are looking to move to an area with the perfect blend of urban and suburban vibes. Register with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent in Pittsburgh!

If Pittsburgh doesn't seem like the best Pennsylvania city for you, check out the best places to live in Pennsylvania!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Pittsburgh

What is the cheapest rent in Pittsburgh?

Currently, the cheapest rent in Pittsburgh is a one-bedroom apartment at $960 a month.

How expensive is an apartment in Pittsburgh?

The current median overall rent in Pittsburgh is $1,154, as of December 2024. A one-bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh is $960 a month, and a two-bedroom apartment is $1,195.

How expensive is it to live in Pittsburgh?

Living in Pittsburgh is relatively inexpensive. In Pittsburgh, rent averages $960 for a one bedroom apartment. Transportation costs in Pittsburgh amount to $9,536 a year. Food costs $4,537 a year on average for a single resident of Pittsburgh.

How far is Pittsburgh from Cincinnati?

Pittsburgh is 286 miles away from Cincinnati. It takes 4 hours and 49 minutes to get to Cincinnati from Pittsburgh by car, 30 hours by bike, and 94 hours by foot.

How far is Pittsburgh from Cleveland?

Pittsburgh is 135 miles away from Cleveland. It takes 2 hours and 17 minutes to get to Cleveland from Pittsburgh by car, 12 hours by bike, and 41 hours by foot.

What is the population of Pittsburgh?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Pittsburgh is 303,255. It is the second-most populated city in the state of Pennsylvania.

What is a good salary in Pittsburgh?

If you follow the 30% rule and spend no more than 30% of your income on rent, you should earn at least $38,400 a year, $3,200 a month, or $18.46 to comfortably afford a one-bedroom apartment which sits at $960. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Pittsburgh, PA is currently $64,137.

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Pittsburgh?

No, Philadelphia is not cheaper than Pittsburgh. Currently, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh is $960 a month, while a one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia is $1,269 a month.