National publications constantly place Pittsburgh near the top of the list for most livable cities in America, and it’s easy to see why. The city has a rich history as an industrial and economic hub, which led to the construction of many grand buildings and public sculptures which still stand today. Downtown in particular is rich with beautifully preserved buildings and lush public parks dating back well over a century, giving the entire community a timeless atmosphere.
Pittsburgh is split into three sections by the rivers passing through the city: Downtown (a.k.a. “The Golden Triangle), the North Side, and the South Side. Each has its fair share of attractions and landmarks: the North Side is home to Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park (making it a perfect area for sports fans), the South Side features big, beautiful greenways and refurbished steel mills, and Downtown is where you’ll find the most variety in dining, nightlife, and entertainment. The Golden triangle area is also a popular area for college students to seek apartments, with Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh all within close proximity in this section of town.
The historic Frick Art Museum
Heinz Hall Performing Arts Building
Market Square near Forbes Avenue and Market Street
The Fort Pitt Bridge
A view of the Pittsburgh skyline
See Pittsburgh from the Duquesne Incline, a historic cable car
As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,229 for a studio, $1,413 for one bedroom, $1,675 for two bedrooms, and $1,955 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Pittsburgh has increased by 1.5% in the past year.
The cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA is 1.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Pittsburgh is 7.6% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,229 - $1,955. You can expect to pay 1.7% less for groceries, 22.4% more for utilities, and 11.4% more for transportation.
Considering a move to Pittsburgh? Find out where to rent a house in the Steel City with our detailed guide.
Big fan of St. Patrick's Day? Live somewhere that shares your passion! Here's a list of 10 cities that turn into Ireland every March 17.
Experience all Pittsburgh offers without breaking the bank. Explore our detailed guide to moving to Pittsburgh on a budget.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Pittsburgh, PA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Some Transit
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
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Pittsburgh Science And Technology Academy 6-12
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Environmental Charter School At Frick Park
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Pittsburgh Science And Technology Academy 6-12
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The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
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18
Communities
1,331
Units
5
Cities
3,487
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957,070
Units
893
Cities
17
Communities
1,091
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7
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11
Communities
782
Units
3
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391
Communities
108,446
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239
Cities
10
Communities
1,839
Units
3
Cities
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
