Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA 2023

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 comes 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!

Pittsburgh Housing Costs

The real estate market in Pittsburgh has seen some fluctuation, but overall the city remains a favorable location for renters and home buyers alike. Rent prices have steadily increased over the last year, with more people turning to Pittsburgh as their ideal place to call home.

According to the latest Pittsburgh Rent Report, the median rent index is $1,006 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,226 for a two-bedroom. Despite the drop in rent prices in the latter half of last year, rates have started growing again and continued trending upward over the previous five months.

Overall, the city's year-over-year rent growth is below the national average of 3% and the state average of 1.7%. So, while rent prices are trending up in Pittsburgh, the growth rate is still minimal compared to other cities in the state and other states in the country.

The Pittsburgh housing market is also seeing steady growth, with median home prices currently at $218,400. These prices fall well below the other major cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York, with median home prices of $1,471,200, $851,400, and $668,699, respectively.

Finding the Best Pittsburgh Apartment for You

If you're uncertain about a neighborhood, consider a month-to-month apartment before making a long-term 12 month commitment. If it's your first time renting or if you don't have a high credit score, consider no credit check apartments. Lastly, if you prefer to rent from the owner of an apartment and have a more personal relationship with them rather than property managers, consider a for rent by owner apartment.

Pittsburgh Transportation Costs

The downtown area of Pittsburgh 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.

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $4,470 for transportation in Pittsburgh over a year. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $11,821 for transportation in one year. Gasoline prices are around $4.23 per gallon, higher than the national average of $3.78.

Pittsburgh Food Costs

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.

In Pittsburgh, single adults without children can expect to spend at least $4,559 on food per year. However, if you're a family of four with two working adults and two children, you can expect to pay $13,429 per year for food.

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.

Pittsburgh Healthcare Costs

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.

A single adult without children will pay around $3,178 for medical care over the year, while two working adults with two children will pay $9,437.

Pittsburgh Utility Costs

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 to keep comfortable year-round. Pittsburgh’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $194.62 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment. Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $67.76 for a total of $262.38 each month.

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 $43.62 monthly.

If you’re looking for some entertainment, you can purchase a seat at the local cinema for $11 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.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Pittsburgh?

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 $16.05 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.

You can also look at the average salary index in Pittsburgh, which is $70,000 per year, roughly $33.65 an hour. Remember that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary are three very different figures. You can use the 30% rule for rent to determine your recommended salary in Pittsburgh.

You should not spend more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent to live comfortably, according to the 30% rule. For example, if your rent is close to the median for a one-bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh and costs $1,006, your monthly wages should be at least $3,353.33 per month or $40,240 annually.

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.

Final Thoughts

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

How expensive is an apartment in Pittsburgh?

A one bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh costs $1,006. A two bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh costs $1,226.

What is the cheapest rent in Pittsburgh?

A one bedroom apartment is the cheapest rent you can get in Pittsburgh, with the median rent sitting at $1,006. The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Pittsburgh is higher at $1,226.

How expensive is it to live in Pittsburgh?

Living in Pittsburgh is relatively expensive. In Pittsburgh, rent averages $1,006 for a one bedroom apartment. Transportation costs in Pittsburgh amount to $4,470 a year. Food costs $4,559 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 300,431. It is the second-most populated city in the state of Pennsylvania.