Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA
Is it worth moving here?
How far does a $70,000 salary go in Pittsburgh? Estimated income taxes on that gross salary total approximately $9,390 per year — combining federal taxes with Pennsylvania's state income tax. Subtract rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($1,299/month based on HUD Fair Market Rents for the Pittsburgh metro area) and the estimated annual take-home is $45,022, or roughly $3,752 per month for everything else: food, transportation, savings, and discretionary spending.
The Pittsburgh metro has a cost of living index of 72.6 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (national average = 100). At 27% below the national average, Pittsburgh is a genuinely affordable metro where everyday expenses stretch further than in most cities.
At a $70,000 salary, the estimated 2-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh represents approximately 22% of gross income. That falls comfortably below the 30% rent-burden guideline, a healthy position for building savings.
Annual Breakdown
Cost of Living Index
Living in Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 27% less expensive than the national average.
Monthly Take-Home
... / mo
Affordability Score
K-12 Schools
See Details →Colleges & Universities
See Details →| Institution | Enrollment | In-State Tuition | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | 15,596 | $62,260 | 93.0% |
| Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc | 402 | $0 | 92.0% |
| South Hills Beauty Academy | 282 | $0 | 91.0% |
| Institute of Medical Careers | 866 | $0 | 86.0% |
| West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute | 57 | $12,535 | 86.0% |
| Bella Capelli Academy | 194 | $0 | 85.0% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 34,525 | $20,154 | 84.0% |
| Citizens School of Nursing | 115 | $0 | 83.0% |
| Douglas Education Center | 200 | $18,800 | 82.0% |
| Lenape Technical School Practical Nursing Program | 71 | $0 | 81.0% |
| Rosedale Technical College | 405 | $15,950 | 80.0% |
| UPMC Mercy School of Nursing | 305 | $14,190 | 80.0% |
| Triangle Tech Inc-Greensburg | 100 | $17,892 | 80.0% |
| Laurel Business Institute | 397 | $10,680 | 79.0% |
| Barber School of Pittsburgh | 78 | $0 | 79.0% |
| Empire Beauty School-Monroeville | 65 | $0 | 79.0% |
| Pennsylvania Gunsmith School | 68 | $0 | 77.0% |
| Duquesne University | 8,137 | $47,146 | 76.0% |
| Butler Beauty Academy | 14 | $0 | 76.0% |
| New Castle School of Trades | 623 | $0 | 74.0% |
| Penn Commercial Business/Technical School | 223 | $12,654 | 73.0% |
| Saint Vincent College | 1,442 | $39,978 | 72.0% |
| Seton Hill University | 1,984 | $40,864 | 71.0% |
| Washington & Jefferson College | 1,162 | $27,605 | 71.0% |
| Fayette County Career & Technical Institute Practical Nursing Program | 69 | $0 | 71.0% |
| Butler Beauty Academy-Kittanning Beauty Academy | 39 | $0 | 71.0% |
| Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing | 145 | $9,672 | 68.0% |
| Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology | 52 | $0 | 67.0% |
| PMCA Pittsburgh Multicultural Cosmetology Academy | 16 | $0 | 67.0% |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | 8,350 | $7,716 | 66.0% |
| Robert Morris University | 4,737 | $33,360 | 66.0% |
| Chatham University | 2,319 | $42,250 | 66.0% |
| Westminster College | 1,203 | $38,760 | 66.0% |
| All-State Career School-Pittsburgh | 418 | $0 | 64.0% |
| Vet Tech Institute | 199 | $14,980 | 63.0% |
| Geneva College | 1,258 | $32,350 | 61.0% |
| Point Park University | 3,299 | $36,240 | 60.0% |
| Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics | 591 | $16,995 | 59.0% |
| Triangle Tech Inc-Pittsburgh | 90 | $17,895 | 59.0% |
| La Roche University | 2,618 | $31,960 | 58.0% |
| UPMC Jameson School of Nursing | 332 | $13,498 | 57.0% |
| Carlow University | 2,310 | $33,376 | 55.0% |
| Pittsburgh Technical College | 864 | $15,380 | 53.0% |
| Empire Beauty School-West Mifflin | 76 | $0 | 53.0% |
| Empire Beauty School-North Hills | 59 | $0 | 52.0% |
| Pennsylvania Western University | 11,305 | $7,716 | 51.0% |
| UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing | 91 | $14,190 | 50.0% |
| Butler Beauty Academy-New Castle Beauty Academy | 30 | $0 | 50.0% |
| Heritage Valley Health System School of Nursing | 52 | $20,000 | 45.0% |
| UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing | 594 | $14,190 | 43.0% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | 1,326 | $13,660 | 40.0% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly | 419 | $13,824 | 34.0% |
| Butler County Community College | 2,468 | $6,990 | 31.0% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | 361 | $13,824 | 27.0% |
| Westmoreland County Community College | 4,275 | $8,400 | 25.0% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington | 456 | $13,824 | 24.0% |
| Community College of Allegheny County | 10,451 | $7,560 | 23.0% |
| Community College of Beaver County | 1,673 | $10,920 | 21.0% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver | 504 | $13,824 | 21.0% |
| Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry | 227 | $0 | — |
| Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | 223 | $0 | — |
| Saint Vincent Seminary | 76 | $0 | — |
| Washington Health System School of Nursing | 39 | $11,223 | — |
| Western Area Career & Technology Center | 39 | $0 | — |
| Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius | 35 | $0 | — |