CostIndexUSA

Phoenix, AZ vs Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Pittsburgh is moderately cheaper than Phoenix — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Phoenix, you would need $73,300 in Pittsburgh. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing40.6%
Phoenix
121.2
Pittsburgh
72
🛒 Groceries+6.0%
Phoenix
95
Pittsburgh
100.7
🚗 Transportation6.0%
Phoenix
109.2
Pittsburgh
102.6
🏥 Healthcare6.1%
Phoenix
98.8
Pittsburgh
92.8
Utilities+15.4%
Phoenix
93.3
Pittsburgh
107.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Phoenix to see what you'd need to earn in Pittsburgh to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$73,300
$6,700 less needed in Pittsburgh

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9167. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Home Price
$218,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
72
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Phoenix has 40.6% lower housing costs compared to Pittsburgh.

Income & Job Market

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Household Income
$72,500
Per Capita Income
$41,300
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
302,971
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyFinanceEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Pittsburgh, PA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.