Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Federal Way, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 19.8% cheaper than Federal Way, WA. This translates to saving $1487 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Federal Way, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Federal Way, WA, you'd need approximately $132,152.057 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Federal Way, WA and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 35.2% cheaper than in Federal Way, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,883/month in Federal Way, WA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Federal Way, WA to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Federal Way, WA to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $1487 per month, or $17848 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Federal Way, WA vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Federal Way, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tacoma, WA area

Current salary in Federal Way, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.5K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.2K in Pittsburgh, PA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 19.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,487

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.8K

Per year

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

Federal Way, WA

Population:98K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$575K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:80

Federal Way, WA

The Evergreen State

98K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 98K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

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: Federal Way, WA vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Federal Way, WA	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,010/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $1,061less	35.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,865/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $650less	34.8%
🏥Healthcare	$817/mo	$527/mo	↓ $290less	35.5%
⚡All Utilities	$477/mo	$607/mo	↑ $130more	27.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,070/mo	$989/mo	↓ $80.41less	7.5%
📦Other	$1,612/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $4.67less	0.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 35.2%

Federal Way, WA

$3,010

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$1,061

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.8%

Federal Way, WA

$1,865

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$650

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 35.5%

Federal Way, WA

$817

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$290

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 27.3%

Federal Way, WA

$477

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$130

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.5%

Federal Way, WA

$1,070

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$80.41

less

📦Other

↓ 0.3%

Federal Way, WA

$1,612

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$4.67

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Federal Way, WA 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$1,562

To$750

↓ $812

1 Bed

From$1,616

To$850

↓ $766

2 Bed

From$1,883

To$1,050

↓ $833

3 Bed

From$2,468

To$1,400

↓ $1,068

Federal Way, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,880–$1,990/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.

$8,850

Monthly in Federal Way, WA

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$1,956

Difference

Home Values

Federal Way

Pittsburgh

$575K

Median Value

↓ -1.6%

YoY Change

↑ +28.9%

5-Year Change

$549K - $601K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Federal Way

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$384

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.1%

Rate difference

Federal Way, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Federal Way, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.