Known worldwide as the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh, PA, is home to 90 unique neighborhoods and has a brilliant skyline and activities. It offers over 12,000 acres of parks and miles of trails for outdoor fun and adventure. The question people moving to Pittsburgh ask most frequently, however, is this; is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA, affordable? The answer is yes and we’ve listed out all the reasons why in this article.
That’s the question we’ll answer below as we present the major cost indices in Pittsburgh for your perusal. From housing to transportation, groceries, and more, the data we’ve got will help with some significant decisions. Where to buy a house in Pittsburgh, for example, and several others just as vital. If that’s the hard, real-world data you’re searching for today, read on.
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Overall, the Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, PA is Affordable
Pittsburgh might not be the most affordable city in America but, for a major city, it comes close. Our overall cost of living index is 88/100, 12% lower than the national average. That’s 12% more your family will have at the end of the month for savings or college expenses. Now, truth be told, there’s one significant reason for our low overall cost; housing. Housing costs in Steel City are genuinely reasonable. (More on that in just a moment.) Besides healthcare, the rest of our costs are right around the national average. Still, a 12% overall saving is substantial and could make living in Pittsburgh easier for many American families.
Housing Costs in Pittsburgh: Affordable
Renting an apartment or buying a house is 40% lower than the national average.
Pittsburgh’s saving grace, cost-wise, is our housing costs. At 62/100, we’re nearly 40% lower than the national average. That’s a phenomenal saving that could make a huge difference for many families. A 40% reduction in your mortgage would be, in most cases, life-changing. You’ll be able to put more towards savings, retirement, and the kid’s college costs too. Plus, with over 90 unique and inviting communities, there are plenty of housing choices here. By the way, apartments in Pittsburgh also have significantly lower rental prices than the national average.
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Healthcare Costs Living in Pittsburgh: Affordable
Hospital visits and pharmacy costs are 14% lower than the national average.
If you’re a retiree or have a young family with children, you’ll be glad to know that healthcare in Pittsburgh is affordable. Paying 14% less for doctor visits, yearly exams, and dental care is significant, no doubt. It might not make a massive difference for young, single folks, but then again, it could. Whatever your health situation, 14% off of your healthcare necessities is a saving everyone can appreciate.
Miscellaneous Cost in Pittsburgh: Average
Various costs like haircuts and resturants are 3% lower than the national average.
Haircuts, new clothes, electronics, and so forth don’t usually add up during any particular month, it’s true. However, over an entire year, they can. In Pittsburgh, those expenses will be 3% cheaper. Is that a significant amount? No, not really, but we think you’ll agree it’s better than paying 3% more for your miscellaneous stuff.
Grocery Costs Living in Pittsburgh: Average
Compared to the U.S. average, a trip to the grocery store will cost you 1% more.
The bad news: you won’t save a lot on groceries when you live in Pittsburgh, PA. The good news? You won’t pay more than average for them, either. With a cost index of 101/100 on groceries, Pittsburgh, PA, is perfectly mediocre. Considering Pittsburgh is ranked the #3 Best City in the U.S. for Foodies (thanks, Apartmentguide!), paying the average is OK with us.
Utilities Costs in Pittsburgh, PA: Average
Utilities like gas and water will only cost about 2% more than the national average.
If you haven’t heard, the weather gets cold as ice in winter here in Pittsburgh, PA. The wind whips, the snow comes down hard and, when they do, the cost to heat your home increases significantly. Luckily, the cost to pay for that heat is only 2% higher than average in Steel City. Our 102/100 cost index isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than some other cities in the northeast.
Transportation Costs Living in Pittsburgh: Expensive
Public transportation, rideshare apps, and getting gas is 6% more than average.
Our final cost index today is the highest on our list, transportation. You’ll pay 6% more here to drive your vehicle, including maintenance, repairs, tolls, and gasoline. You’ll spend slightly less time commuting, though, as our one-way commute time is 24 minutes. (That’s a scant 2 minutes less than the national average.) When you consider this is our highest cost index, you quickly realize Pittsburgh is a reasonable city, cost-wise.
So, Is the Cost of Living in Pittsburg Affordable? Yes, It Is!
While Pittsburgh isn’t the cheapest place to live in the U.S., it’s still affordable, thanks to our low housing costs. Plus, as we mentioned earlier, the city offers some excellent, world-class amenities, green spaces, and more.
Here at Moove In Self Storage, we enjoy the lifestyle, food, and people in this celebrated city. As the local self-storage experts in Pittsburgh, PA, we see new arrivals all the time. Many rent a storage unit in Pittsburgh while searching for their new forever home. It’s easy, convenient, and safe, plus it costs much less than storing your stuff with a moving company.
If you have questions about storing stuff in Pittsburgh, PA, please feel free to chat with us online. You can also reserve a Pittsburgh, PA storage unit on our website in less than 10 minutes. (It’s quick and easy.) Like to do things face-to-face? No problem! Drop by our two self-storage locations in Pittsburgh, PA if you like. The on-site manager is there to help you in any way they can. Until then, we hope today’s cost index data has been very helpful. Best of luck with your move to America’s Steel City, Pittsburgh, PA!
