CostIndexUSA

Pittsburgh, PA vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Pittsburgh is moderately cheaper than Worcester — 8.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pittsburgh, you would need $86,600 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+56.9%
Pittsburgh
72
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries3.7%
Pittsburgh
100.7
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Pittsburgh
102.6
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Pittsburgh
92.8
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+44.1%
Pittsburgh
107.7
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$86,600
$6,600 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 94.7) = salary × 1.0824. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pittsburgh, PA

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

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 56.9% higher housing costs compared to Pittsburgh.

Income & Job Market

Pittsburgh, PA

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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Pittsburgh, PA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.