Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Lakewood, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 19.0% cheaper than Lakewood, WA. This translates to saving $1427 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Lakewood, WA, you'd need approximately $132,876.753 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 34.6% cheaper than in Lakewood, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,530/month in Lakewood, WA.

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

Moving from Lakewood, WA to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $1427 per month, or $17123 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lakewood, WA vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lakewood, WA — COL adjusted from Tacoma, WA area + state data

Current salary in Lakewood, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.4K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.9K in Pittsburgh, PA

Using Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA and Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area data

Overall Cost

↓ 19.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,427

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.1K

Per year

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

Lakewood, WA

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$560K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:81

Lakewood, WA

The Evergreen State

62K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 62K 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: Lakewood, WA vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Lakewood, WA	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,980/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $1,031less	34.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,847/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $631less	34.2%
🏥Healthcare	$813/mo	$527/mo	↓ $286less	35.2%
⚡All Utilities	$474/mo	$607/mo	↑ $132more	27.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,064/mo	$989/mo	↓ $75.08less	7.1%
📦Other	$1,596/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $11.36more	0.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 34.6%

Lakewood, WA

$2,980

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$1,031

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.2%

Lakewood, WA

$1,847

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$631

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 35.2%

Lakewood, WA

$813

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$286

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 27.9%

Lakewood, WA

$474

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$132

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.1%

Lakewood, WA

$1,064

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$75.08

less

📦Other

↑ 0.7%

Lakewood, WA

$1,596

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$11.36

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lakewood, 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$1,033

To$750

↓ $283

1 Bed

From$1,199

To$850

↓ $349

2 Bed

From$1,530

To$1,050

↓ $480

3 Bed

From$2,150

To$1,400

↓ $750

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition.

$8,774

Monthly in Lakewood, WA

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$1,880

Difference

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

Lakewood, 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

Lakewood, 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.