Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Fairfax, VA?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 36.9% cheaper than Fairfax, VA. This translates to saving $2768 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Fairfax, VA?

If you earn $150,000 in Fairfax, VA, you'd need approximately $116,780.231 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fairfax, VA and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 62.4% cheaper than in Fairfax, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $2,110/month in Fairfax, VA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fairfax, VA to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Fairfax, VA to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $2768 per month, or $33220 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fairfax, VA vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fairfax, VA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Washington, DC area

Current salary in Fairfax, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $116.8K in Pittsburgh, PA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area

Overall Cost

↓ 36.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,768

Savings

Annual Impact

$33.2K

Per year

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

Fairfax, VA

Population:25K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$774K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:63

Fairfax, VA

The Old Dominion State

25K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 25K 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: Fairfax, VA vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Fairfax, VA	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,188/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $3,239less	62.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,750/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $534less	30.5%
⚡All Utilities	$490/mo	$607/mo	↑ $117more	23.9%
📦Other	$1,693/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $86.42less	5.1%
🏥Healthcare	$609/mo	$527/mo	↓ $82.18less	13.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,040/mo	$989/mo	↓ $50.41less	4.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 62.4%

Fairfax, VA

$5,188

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$3,239

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 30.5%

Fairfax, VA

$1,750

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$534

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 23.9%

Fairfax, VA

$490

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$117

📦Other

↓ 5.1%

Fairfax, VA

$1,693

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$86.42

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.5%

Fairfax, VA

$609

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$82.18

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 4.8%

Fairfax, VA

$1,040

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$50.41

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Fairfax, VA 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$1,838

To$750

↓ $1,088

1 Bed

From$1,893

To$850

↓ $1,043

2 Bed

From$2,110

To$1,050

↓ $1,060

3 Bed

From$2,662

To$1,400

↓ $1,262

Fairfax, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,320–$2,440/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.

$10,769

Monthly in Fairfax, VA

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$3,875

Difference

Home Values

Fairfax

Pittsburgh

$774K

Median Value

YoY Change

↑ +24.6%

5-Year Change

$692K - $828K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Fairfax

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$314

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.5%

Rate difference

Fairfax, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

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

Fairfax, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

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.