Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Crystal Lake, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 7.0% cheaper than Crystal Lake, IL. This translates to saving $523 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Crystal Lake, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Crystal Lake, IL, you'd need approximately $143,718.153 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Crystal Lake, IL and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 20.2% cheaper than in Crystal Lake, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,433/month in Crystal Lake, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Crystal Lake, IL to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Crystal Lake, IL to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $523 per month, or $6282 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Crystal Lake, IL vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Crystal Lake, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Crystal Lake, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $523/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.7K in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Overall Cost

↓ 7.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$523

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.3K

Per year

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

Crystal Lake, IL

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$408K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:93

Crystal Lake, IL

The Prairie State

41K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 41K 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: Crystal Lake, IL vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Crystal Lake, IL	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,443/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $494less	20.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,487/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $271less	18.2%
⚡All Utilities	$488/mo	$607/mo	↑ $118more	24.2%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $51.32more	3.3%
🏥Healthcare	$560/mo	$527/mo	↓ $32.94less	5.9%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$989/mo	↑ $20.97more	2.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 20.2%

Crystal Lake, IL

$2,443

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$494

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 18.2%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,487

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$271

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 24.2%

Crystal Lake, IL

$488

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$118

📦Other

↑ 3.3%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,556

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$51.32

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.9%

Crystal Lake, IL

$560

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$32.94

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.2%

Crystal Lake, IL

$968

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$20.97

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Crystal Lake, IL 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$1,189

To$750

↓ $439

1 Bed

From$1,275

To$850

↓ $425

2 Bed

From$1,433

To$1,050

↓ $383

3 Bed

From$1,843

To$1,400

↓ $443

Crystal Lake, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,610–$1,780/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.

$7,502

Monthly in Crystal Lake, IL

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$608

Difference

Home Values

Crystal Lake

Pittsburgh

$408K

Median Value

↑ +5%

YoY Change

↑ +46.8%

5-Year Change

$349K - $466K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Crystal Lake

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$235

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

Crystal Lake, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/month

$105.6K

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

Crystal Lake, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.