Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh, PA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Pittsburgh, PA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Pittsburgh, PA?
With a price level of 94.7 (U.S. average = 100), Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 28% below average; everyday goods cost about the same as the national average; utilities run 8% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 2% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.7 | −5.3% |
| Housing | 72.0 | −28.0% |
| Goods | 100.7 | +0.7% |
| Utilities | 107.7 | +7.7% |
| Other services | 97.7 | −2.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Pittsburgh, PA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $982 | $39,280/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,058 | $42,320/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,281 | $51,240/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,643 | $65,720/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,772 | $70,880/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Pittsburgh, PA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Pittsburgh, PA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $37,900 | $31,469 |
| $60,000 | $56,800 | $46,075 |
| $80,000 | $75,700 | $59,761 |
| $100,000 | $94,700 | $72,544 |
| $150,000 | $142,000 | $103,964 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Pittsburgh, PA's median wage of $49,650 takes home about $3,379 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,058, which is 31% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,321 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA
- Federal income tax$3,778
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,078
- Medicare (1.45%)$720
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,524
- Take-home pay$40,550
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Pittsburgh residents also pay the 1% city + 2% school district: about $1,490 a year on the $49,650 median wage, leaving $39,060. Select “Pittsburgh” under City income tax above to include it.
Highest-paying jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Pennsylvania cities
Half of Pennsylvania’s 6,064,600 workers earn less than $49,690 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $36,690–$78,270 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Philadelphia, PA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Allentown, PA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $54,310 | 102.6 | $1,520 | 41% | $2,159 | $43,051 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,650 | 94.7 | $1,058 | 31% | $2,321 | $42,832 |
| Allentown, PA | $48,990 | 100.0 | $1,365 | 41% | $1,972 | $40,052 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $49,610 | 98.7 | $1,212 | 36% | $2,165 | $41,073 |
| Scranton, PA | $46,330 | 93.6 | $1,028 | 32% | $2,137 | $40,600 |
| Lancaster, PA | $48,210 | 98.3 | $1,220 | 37% | $2,066 | $40,136 |
| York, PA | $48,170 | 96.0 | $1,060 | 32% | $2,224 | $41,048 |
| Reading, PA | $49,440 | 97.1 | $1,237 | 37% | $2,129 | $41,611 |
| Erie, PA | $44,460 | 91.0 | $945 | 31% | $2,100 | $40,174 |
| State College, PA | $49,220 | 96.8 | $1,194 | 36% | $2,157 | $41,563 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $47,540 | 94.6 | $1,119 | 35% | $2,124 | $41,122 |
| Altoona, PA | $44,270 | 89.5 | $948 | 31% | $2,085 | $40,658 |
| Lebanon, PA | $46,500 | 93.2 | $1,112 | 35% | $2,064 | $40,890 |
| Williamsport, PA | $46,050 | 92.3 | $995 | 32% | $2,152 | $40,896 |
| Johnstown, PA | $44,110 | 85.9 | $846 | 28% | $2,176 | $42,207 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Pittsburgh, PA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $1,058 | $49,650 | 1,114,490 |
| Columbus, OH | 95.5 | $1,179 | $51,340 | 1,105,580 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $1,242 | $49,340 | 1,105,170 |
| San Antonio, TX | 94.7 | $1,171 | $47,010 | 1,126,880 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 95.4 | $1,043 | $50,170 | 1,101,030 |
| Nashville, TN | 96.3 | $1,530 | $50,390 | 1,099,300 |
| Kansas City, MO | 92.5 | $1,193 | $50,820 | 1,096,110 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Pittsburgh, PA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area are 94.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 72.0%. It is the #175 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Pittsburgh, PA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $56,803 in Pittsburgh, PA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,650.
Can you afford Pittsburgh, PA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $49,650 median wage takes home about $3,379 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,058 would take 31% of that.
How much is rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Pittsburgh, PA are $982 for a studio, $1,058 for one bedroom, $1,281 for two bedrooms and $1,643 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Pittsburgh, PA
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $159,090
- Financial Manager — $136,330
- Managers, All Other — $130,750
- Sales Manager — $125,060
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $105,700
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $101,570
- General and Operations Manager — $100,840
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $99,320
- Management Analyst — $85,990
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $82,530
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $79,970
- Accountant and Auditor — $76,940
- Training and Development Specialist — $71,580
- Compliance Officer — $70,560
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $69,990
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $124,500
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $103,420
- Computer Systems Analyst — $98,550
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,010
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineer — $100,680
- Mechanical Engineer — $98,050
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Healthcare Social Worker — $60,430
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $59,560
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $54,290
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $49,800
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $43,970
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $133,040
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $63,620
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $84,800
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $81,350
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $76,550
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $36,530
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $35,650
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $33,700
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $187,680
- Pharmacist — $134,180
- Physician Assistant — $125,230
- Registered Nurse — $82,370
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $63,060
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $47,610
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $45,210
- Pharmacy Technician — $41,780
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $43,080
- Medical Assistant — $42,840
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $29,250
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $83,190
- Security Guard — $35,850
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $40,530
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,130
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,100
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,470
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $30,260
- Food Preparation Worker — $30,120
- Dishwasher — $30,000
- Bartender — $29,750
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $37,690
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,500
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $32,670
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,100
- Childcare Worker — $29,840
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,370
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $63,370
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $63,270
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $62,710
- Insurance Sales Agent — $59,990
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,250
- Retail Salesperson — $30,840
- Cashier — $29,470
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $63,260
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $59,880
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $47,250
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $45,550
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $45,110
- Office Clerks, General — $45,040
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $44,260
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $44,130
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,030
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $70,100
- Electrician — $69,340
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $62,320
- Carpenter — $61,180
- Construction Laborer — $50,600
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,480
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $62,560
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $62,140
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,250
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $48,900
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $76,690
- Machinist — $55,880
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $53,610
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $49,090
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $45,810
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $45,610
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $58,540
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,880
- Bus Drivers, School — $46,840
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $45,510
- Light Truck Driver — $42,700
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $41,830
- Stocker and Order Filler — $35,900
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $33,950