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Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA

Population 304,759 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,261
Median home value$205,800
Median household income$65,742

The median rent in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,261/month, 4% higher than the Pennsylvania median and 11% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $205,800, 38% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $65,742 a year, 16% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 23.0%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $50,440/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.1×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,041/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania vs. U.S.

PittsburghPennsylvaniaU.S.
Median rent$1,261$1,209$1,413
Median home value$205,800$254,500$332,700
Median household income$65,742$77,971$80,734
Homeownership rate47.7%69.3%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher49.1%35.2%35.7%
Poverty rate20.1%11.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.1%5.3%5.2%
Work from home22.4%15.6%15.1%
Median age33.640.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Pittsburgh, PA?

The median gross rent in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,261 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Pittsburgh, PA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $50,440 a year in gross income.

Is Pittsburgh, PA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 11% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.1 times the median household income.

Other cities in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PARent $1,397 · Income $61,953Allentown, PARent $1,317 · Income $55,494Reading, PARent $1,067 · Income $44,091Erie, PARent $870 · Income $46,113Bethlehem, PARent $1,382 · Income $68,879Scranton, PARent $1,048 · Income $50,739

Cities with a similar cost of living

Horizon City, TXRent $1,280 · Income $65,737Norwich, CTRent $1,253 · Income $65,024Chattanooga, TNRent $1,256 · Income $64,523Foley, ALRent $1,242 · Income $66,336Terrell, TXRent $1,232 · Income $65,842Florissant, MORent $1,288 · Income $65,318

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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