Cost of living, Pittsburgh
94.7
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Pittsburgh sits about 5.3% below national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- −5.3%
- Metro
- Pittsburgh
- CBSA
- 38300
Pittsburgh all-items RPP is 94.7 (2024), about 5.3% below US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $85,230 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Pittsburgh
| Component | Pittsburgh | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.7 | 100 |
| Goods | 100.7 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 72.0 | 100 |
| Other services | 97.7 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Pittsburgh
| At US average | In Pittsburgh |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $56,820 |
| $90,000 | $85,230 |
| $150,000 | $142,050 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (94.7 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Pittsburgh, PA is 94.7, versus a US average of 100 (−5.3%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $85,230 in Pittsburgh for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Chief Executives , 1,660 OEWS emp. $216,060
- Physicians, All Other , 6,260 OEWS emp. $187,680
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 2,060 OEWS emp. $161,720
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 5,290 OEWS emp. $159,090
- Financial Managers , 6,460 OEWS emp. $136,330
- Pharmacists , 3,300 OEWS emp. $134,180
See methodology and disclaimer.