Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Louisville, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 1.1% cheaper than Louisville, KY. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Louisville, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Louisville, KY, you'd need approximately $149,000 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Louisville, KY and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 8.5% cheaper than in Louisville, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,180/month in Louisville, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Louisville, KY to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Louisville, KY to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $83 per month, or $1000 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Louisville, KY vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Louisville, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $83.33/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.0K in Pittsburgh, PA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$83.33

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.0K

Per year

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

Louisville, KY

Population:629K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$204K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:99

Louisville, KY

The Bluegrass State

629K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 629K 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: Louisville, KY vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Louisville, KY	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,131/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $182less	8.5%
⚡All Utilities	$464/mo	$607/mo	↑ $142more	30.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,311/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $95.62less	7.3%
🏥Healthcare	$564/mo	$527/mo	↓ $37.17less	6.6%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$989/mo	↑ $29.98more	3.1%
📦Other	$1,590/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $16.74more	1.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 8.5%

Louisville, KY

$2,131

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$182

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 30.6%

Louisville, KY

$464

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$142

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.3%

Louisville, KY

$1,311

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$95.62

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.6%

Louisville, KY

$564

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$37.17

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.1%

Louisville, KY

$959

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$29.98

📦Other

↑ 1.1%

Louisville, KY

$1,590

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$16.74

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Louisville, KY: Louisville Occupational Tax$4,275/yr (2.9%)

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

Net difference+$225/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$900

To$750

↓ $150

1 Bed

From$970

To$850

↓ $120

2 Bed

From$1,180

To$1,050

↓ $130

3 Bed

From$1,510

To$1,400

↓ $110

Louisville, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$1,490/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.

$7,020

Monthly in Louisville, KY

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$126

Difference

Home Values

Louisville

Pittsburgh

$204K

Median Value

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↑ +31.2%

5-Year Change

$88K - $467K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Louisville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$241

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

Louisville, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Louisville, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

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.

Environment

Louisville

Pittsburgh

50 Good

Air Quality

52 Moderate

50.8%

Good Air Days

47.8%

98 High

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌪💨

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

37 days

Heat Days >95°F

12 days

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

37 days

Heat Days >95°F

12 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kentucky and Pennsylvania on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Louisville, KY on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Pittsburgh, PA

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $83.33/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

Louisville, KY

Pittsburgh, PA

Louisville, KY

Pittsburgh, PA

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code15 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP15 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Louisville, KY

Pittsburgh, PA

Additional Tax Information

Louisville, KY Tax Rates

Pittsburgh, PA Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Pittsburgh, PA