Pittsburgh cost of living is 2% lower than the national average! Pittsburgh as the second largest city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, is considered to be one of the more affordable cities where is much easier to enjoy a relaxed and high-quality life. It was once known for its steel industry and has been transformed into a centre for technology, healthcare and education. Surrounded by three rivers, the city not only has a rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, but also attracts new immigrants, students and young families with a lower cost of living than the national average. This article will show you the latest statistics on the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA, on housing, utilities, education, food, healthcare, transportation and entertainment, and comprehensively analyze and discuss its livability.
What Is the Cost of Living in Pittsburgh?
According to the latest data, a single person’s monthly cost of living in Pittsburgh is around $1,397 without rent. If you are a student and plan to have a common and normal living experience in Pittsburgh, aside from tuition fees, you need to prepare at least $1,800 for monthly living expenses. For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs reach around $5,100. The housing rental prices in Pittsburgh is over 14% less expensive than the national average. Also, the cost of food is 1% lower, and healthcare and entertainment are both 7% less expensive than the United States average. While, the utilities and transport fees are 24% and 8% higher compared to the USA average. When it comes to big-ticket expenses like housing rent and food expenses, Pittsburgh’s statistics are very attractive, making it an ideal place for people looking for an affordable city in the United States.
| Pittsburgh Cost of Living | |
|---|---|
| Category | Average Cost |
| Housing | $1,400 (per month) |
| Utilities | $200 – $450 (per month) |
| Education | $20,000 – $68,000 (per academic year) |
| Food | $650 (per month) |
| Transportation | $97 – $470 (per month) |
| Healthcare | $150 (per month) |
| Entertainment | $300 – $900 (per month) |
Pittsburgh Cost of Living: Housing
Housing renting is a core cost of living expense, and Pittsburgh is particularly strong in this area. The average rent for an apartment in Pittsburgh is around $1,400 per month, which is over 14% lower than the national average. However, depending on the area and apartment conditions, rents can also fluctuate. For example, you can spend around $1,100 to rent a one-bedroom apartment monthly in Pitt’s quiet suburbs, while in the city center, a one-bedroom flat will cost nearly $1,700. Here is an overview of average monthly housing rentals of different room types in Pittsburgh, PA:
| Housing rentals in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| Room Types | Average Monthly rental |
| A Studio in City Center | $1,914 |
| A Studio Outside of Center | $1,163 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment in City Center | $1,730 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment Outside of Center | $1,115 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment in City Center | $1,910 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment Outside of Center | $1,350 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment in City Center | $2,940 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment Outside of Center | $1,942 |
For those who come to Pittsburgh for study, finding affordable student housing in Pittsburgh can help save lots of living expenses. uhomes.com, a popular global student apartments service platform with over 10-year experience, provides students with cheap, cozy, and safe apartment options also in Pittsburgh close to university campuses and city center, starting from $784 per month.
Pittsburgh Living Cost on Utilities
The cost of utilities in Pittsburgh averagely is 24.0% higher than the U.S. average, which is around $450 per month, including electricity, water, gas and telephone bills. The average water fee in Pittsburgh PA is about $100 per month, while the average electric bill in Pittsburgh reaches around $110 monthly. The phone bill comes to $197. Although the utilities cost seems much higher, the entertainment cost can balance it.
| Utilities Cost in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| Item | Average Monthly Cost |
| Energy | $269.23 |
| Phone | $197.47 |
| Internet | $65 |
| TV | $294 |
Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA: Education
Pittsburgh boasts many top universiies and colleges, such as Carnegie Mellon University, and The University fo Pittsburgh. When exploring the truth of cost of living in Pittsburgh, especially for students, the tuition fee is also a non-negligible expense. However, the tuition fees are different regarding from diverse universities and colleges, as well as majors. For your consideration, we list the fees of entering some famous universities and colleges in Pittsburgh as follows:
| Tuition Fees in the Universities in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| University | Tuition Fee (per academic year) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $67,020 |
| The University of Pittsburgh | $20,556 – $36,696 (in-state) $40,060 – $50,918 (out-of-state) |
| Duquesne University | $51,068 – $58,658 |
Pittsburgh Budget on Food & Drinks
Pittsburgh city budget on food and drinks are nearly the same as the national average. Whether buying fruits, vegetables, drinks or eating out, Pittsburgh residents can enjoy the affordable prices than those in other big cities in the US. According to the latest statistics on Numbeo, 1 liter of milk only costs $1.28, and 1kg beef round is $19.97. Also, eating a McMeal at McDonalds will only take you around $12, while one meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs around $25, and $120 in a mid-range restaurant.
| Food Prices in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| Food | Cost |
| Bread (500g) | $4.04 |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1.28 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.99 |
| Rice (1 kg) | $6.43 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $15.33 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $16.53 |
| Beef Round (1kg) | $19.97 |
| Apples (1kg) | $6.71 |
| Banana (1kg) | $1.04 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $6.64 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $6.61 |
| Potato (1kg) | $3.14 |
| Onion (1kg) | $3.85 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $2.76 |
| Drinks Prices in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| Drinks | Cost |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $2.09 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $17.99 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $1.73 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $3.70 |
Pittsburgh Cost of Living on Healthcare
Pittsburgh is considered as the best city for healthcare in the United States, and fortunately, the cost of healthcare in Pittsburgh is still 8% lower than the national average. The average cost of a doctor visit is around $97, and for a dentist visit, it will cost about $121.
| Cost of Healthcare Services in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| Types | Average Cost |
| Doctor Visit | $97.84 |
| Dentist Visit | $121.35 |
| Optometrist Visit | $107.4 |
| Prescription Drug | $265.48 |
| Ibuprofen | $10.79 |
Pittsburgh cost of living on health insurance is around $600 per month averagely, and if you are qualify for discounts based on your income, you can also spend average $130 per month. Meanwhile, the healthcare insurance premiums vary significantly according to the type of plan and coverage. For examples, there are various price levels, like Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The lower price level means the cheaper premium, but the higher out-of-pocket expenses. The medical cost covered ratio from Bronze, Silver, Gold to Platinum is 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%, separately.
Cost of Living in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania: Transportation
Pittsburgh boasts a well-developed transportation system, making residents commute and travel in and out of the city a breeze. Pittsburgh cost of living on transportation is 8% higher than the U.S. average, which mainly due to also consider the tire balance fee and gasoline fees. The gasoline costs around $3.68 per gallon, which is 9% higher than national average. The tire balance price in pittsburgh is $62.29, while tha nationalaverage on that is $60.97. However, if you use the public transportation more frequently than private car, the cost of transport will not stand by a great ratio of overall living expenses in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh public transit (Pittsburgh Regional Transit, abbriviate ‘PRT’) fare is $2.75 for a single ride with unlimited transfers within 3 hours, and $5.25 for a round trip. If you pay it by cash, you will spend the original price. However, if you use the ConnectCard, you only need to speed $2.50 for one-way ticket and $3.50 for a round trip. There are also monthly passes for PRT, at the price of $97.50. Passangers who bought the monthly ticket can take the unlimited rides within Pittsburgh city and suburbs.
Light rail between Downtown and North Shore is free. Taxi is also a popular mode of tranportation in Pittsburgh, with $4.00 as the start price and $1.20 for 1km. Pittsburgh International Airport to Downtown by taxi costs about $40 for one-way fare.
For University of Pittsburgh students and faculties, with a valid Panther Card, taking PRT buses and light rails within Allegheny county is free of charge.
Living Cost in Pittsburgh PA: Entertainment
Shopping and entertainment in Pittsburgh are the wise decision, which not only because there are a plethora of things to do in Pittsburgh, but also due to the less expensive cost on goods and services in the city. The Pittsburgh cost of living on entertainment is nearly 7% lower than the national average.
Shopping a summer dress takes around $50, and for a pair of sport shoes, $72 is enough. If you prefer the yoga, luckily for you to only need to spend $17 for the yoga session. A normal haircut cost for $26, and a movie costs $15. A trip for an adult to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is $25, and there is an annual membership for you to save more money.
| Cost of Entertainment in Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|
| Item | Average Cost |
| Movie | $15 |
| Yoga | $17 |
| Haircut | $26 |
| Beauty Salon | $43 |
| Summer Dress | $51 |
| Jeans (1 pair) | $43 |
| Running Shoes (1 pair) | $72 |
| Leather Business Shoes (1 pair) | $80 |
Conclusion on Pittsburgh Cost of Living
In a nutshell, the latest statistics on Pittsburgh cost of living reveal the truth of the city’s high-quality and affordable living environment. Low housing costs, reasonable grocery and health care costs, and abundant educational and cultural resources make it a great city to live and work in. Whether you are a student for further study, a young professional pursuing career development, or the middle class paying attention to the quality of family life, you can find a balance in Pittsburgh.
FAQs on Pittsburgh Cost of Living
Is Pittsburgh an affordable city to live?
Yes, Pittsburgh is an affordable city to live in. The cost of living in Pittsburgh is 2% lower than the national average, and its living cost on renting an apartment is much lower than many other majoy cities in the U.S., making it an attractive and budget-friendly options for people.
What is the comparison of the cost of living in Pittsburgh vs Princeton, NJ?
In general, the living cost in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is 37.9% less expensive than Princeton, New Jersey. Renting an apartment in Pittsburgh needs around $1400 per month, however, it takes $3,500 in Princeton, NJ. Pittsburgh budget on food, utilities, and healthcare is also 12.3%, 10.3%, and 8.9% lower than that in Princetton.
What is the comparison of Pittsburgh cost of living vs San Diego?
Compared to San Diego, the cost of living in Pittsburgh is significantly lower. The median rent in Pittsburgh PA for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,426, while reaching $3,212 for a 2B in San Diego, CA. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh cost of living on transportation, food, healthcare, and entertainment are 18%, 16%, 13%, and 18% lower than those in San Diego, separately.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Pittsburgh, PA?
For a single person, you will need around$46,000 annually to live a comfortable life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For a family of four that 2 adults both on work, the total annual income need to be $115,000.
