Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Lake Stevens, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 43.6% cheaper than Lake Stevens, WA. This translates to saving $3270 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Lake Stevens, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Lake Stevens, WA, you'd need approximately $110,759.023 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lake Stevens, WA and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 68.7% cheaper than in Lake Stevens, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $2,059/month in Lake Stevens, WA.

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

Moving from Lake Stevens, WA to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $3270 per month, or $39241 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lake Stevens, WA vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lake Stevens, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Seattle, WA area

Current salary in Lake Stevens, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.3K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $110.8K in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Overall Cost

↓ 43.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,270

Savings

Annual Impact

$39.2K

Per year

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

Lake Stevens, WA

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$698K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:56

Lake Stevens, WA

The Evergreen State

41K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 41K 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: Lake Stevens, WA vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Lake Stevens, WA	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,223/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $4,274less	68.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,742/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $526less	30.2%
🏥Healthcare	$789/mo	$527/mo	↓ $263less	33.3%
📦Other	$1,812/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $205less	11.3%
⚡All Utilities	$461/mo	$607/mo	↑ $146more	31.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,034/mo	$989/mo	↓ $44.44less	4.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 68.7%

Lake Stevens, WA

$6,223

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$4,274

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 30.2%

Lake Stevens, WA

$1,742

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$526

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 33.3%

Lake Stevens, WA

$789

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$263

less

📦Other

↓ 11.3%

Lake Stevens, WA

$1,812

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$205

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 31.7%

Lake Stevens, WA

$461

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$146

🛒Groceries

↓ 4.3%

Lake Stevens, WA

$1,034

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$44.44

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lake Stevens, 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$1,708

To$750

↓ $958

1 Bed

From$1,770

To$850

↓ $920

2 Bed

From$2,059

To$1,050

↓ $1,009

3 Bed

From$2,690

To$1,400

↓ $1,290

Lake Stevens, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,270–$2,270/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.

$12,061

Monthly in Lake Stevens, WA

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$5,167

Difference

Home Values

Lake Stevens

Pittsburgh

$698K

Median Value

↓ -1.8%

YoY Change

↑ +37.7%

5-Year Change

Calculate payment - Lake Stevens

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

Lake Stevens, 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

Lake Stevens, 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.