Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Burlington, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 7.4% cheaper than Burlington, NC. This translates to saving $558 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Burlington, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Burlington, NC, you'd need approximately $143,298.682 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Burlington, NC and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 15.0% cheaper than in Burlington, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $964/month in Burlington, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Burlington, NC to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Burlington, NC to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $558 per month, or $6701 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Burlington, NC vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Burlington, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Durham, NC area

Current salary in Burlington, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $558/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.3K in Pittsburgh, PA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 7.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$558

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.7K

Per year

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

Burlington, NC

Population:60K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$218K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:93

Burlington, NC

The Tar Heel State

60K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 60K 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: Burlington, NC vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Burlington, NC	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,294/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $345less	15.0%
⚡All Utilities	$536/mo	$607/mo	↑ $70.70more	13.2%
📦Other	$1,674/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $67.07less	4.0%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $62.70less	10.6%
🛒Groceries	$941/mo	$989/mo	↑ $48.58more	5.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,235/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $18.99less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 15.0%

Burlington, NC

$2,294

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$345

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.2%

Burlington, NC

$536

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$70.70

📦Other

↓ 4.0%

Burlington, NC

$1,674

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$67.07

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.6%

Burlington, NC

$589

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$62.70

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.2%

Burlington, NC

$941

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$48.58

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.5%

Burlington, NC

$1,235

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$18.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Burlington, NC 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$711

To$750

↑ $39.00

1 Bed

From$875

To$850

↓ $25.00

2 Bed

From$964

To$1,050

↑ $86.00

3 Bed

From$1,193

To$1,400

↑ $207

Burlington, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,070–$1,070/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,269

Monthly in Burlington, NC

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$374

Difference

Home Values

Burlington

Pittsburgh

$218K

Median Value

↓ -0.2%

YoY Change

↑ +53.4%

5-Year Change

Calculate payment - Burlington

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$210

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.7%

Rate difference

Burlington, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Burlington, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.