Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Arlington, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 36.6% cheaper than Arlington, MA. This translates to saving $2742 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Arlington, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Arlington, MA, you'd need approximately $117,098.946 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Arlington, MA and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 56.4% cheaper than in Arlington, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $2,481/month in Arlington, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Arlington, MA to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Arlington, MA to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $2742 per month, or $32901 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Arlington, MA vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Arlington, MA — COL adjusted from Boston, MA area + state data

Current salary in Arlington, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $117.1K in Pittsburgh, PA

Using and Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area data

Overall Cost

↓ 36.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,742

Savings

Annual Impact

$32.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Arlington, MA

Population:46K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:63

Arlington, MA

The Bay State

46K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 46K residents.

Pittsburgh, PA

The Keystone State

303K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 303K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Arlington, MA vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Arlington, MA	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,470/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $2,521less	56.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,723/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $508less	29.5%
🏥Healthcare	$721/mo	$527/mo	↓ $195less	27.0%
📦Other	$1,718/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $111less	6.5%
⚡All Utilities	$695/mo	$607/mo	↓ $88.03less	12.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,047/mo	$989/mo	↓ $57.89less	5.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 56.4%

Arlington, MA

$4,470

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$2,521

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 29.5%

Arlington, MA

$1,723

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$508

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 27.0%

Arlington, MA

$721

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$195

less

📦Other

↓ 6.5%

Arlington, MA

$1,718

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$111

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 12.7%

Arlington, MA

$695

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$88.03

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.5%

Arlington, MA

$1,047

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$57.89

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Earned Income Tax$4,500/yr (3.0%)

Arlington, MA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,721

To$750

↓ $971

1 Bed

From$2,001

To$850

↓ $1,151

2 Bed

From$2,481

To$1,050

↓ $1,431

3 Bed

From$3,201

To$1,400

↓ $1,801

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition.

$10,374

Monthly in Arlington, MA

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$3,480

Difference

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$241

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

Arlington, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Pittsburgh, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

Additional Tax Information

Arlington, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

Pittsburgh, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.