Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Cambridge, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 37.9% cheaper than Cambridge, MA. This translates to saving $2842 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Cambridge, MA, you'd need approximately $115,890.852 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 57.3% cheaper than in Cambridge, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $3,368/month in Cambridge, MA.

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

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $2842 per month, or $34109 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cambridge, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Cambridge, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.8K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $115.9K in Pittsburgh, PA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 37.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,842

Savings

Annual Impact

$34.1K

Per year

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

Cambridge, MA

Population:118K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.11M

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:62

Cambridge, MA

The Bay State

118K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 118K 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: Cambridge, MA vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Cambridge, MA	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,567/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $2,618less	57.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,761/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $545less	30.9%
🏥Healthcare	$729/mo	$527/mo	↓ $203less	27.8%
📦Other	$1,755/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $148less	8.4%
⚡All Utilities	$702/mo	$607/mo	↓ $95.50less	13.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,058/mo	$989/mo	↓ $69.14less	6.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 57.3%

Cambridge, MA

$4,567

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$2,618

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 30.9%

Cambridge, MA

$1,761

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$545

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 27.8%

Cambridge, MA

$729

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$203

less

📦Other

↓ 8.4%

Cambridge, MA

$1,755

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$148

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.6%

Cambridge, MA

$702

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$95.50

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.5%

Cambridge, MA

$1,058

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$69.14

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Cambridge, 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$2,702

To$750

↓ $1,952

1 Bed

From$2,837

To$850

↓ $1,987

2 Bed

From$3,368

To$1,050

↓ $2,318

3 Bed

From$4,039

To$1,400

↓ $2,639

Cambridge, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,370–$3,610/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.

$10,572

Monthly in Cambridge, MA

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$3,678

Difference

Home Values

Cambridge

Pittsburgh

$1.11M

Median Value

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↑ +15.6%

5-Year Change

$963K - $1.26M

Price Range

Calculate payment - Cambridge

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

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

Cambridge, 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

Cambridge, 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.