Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than New Brunswick, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 14.4% cheaper than New Brunswick, NJ. This translates to saving $1080 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in New Brunswick, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in New Brunswick, NJ, you'd need approximately $137,042.407 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between New Brunswick, NJ and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 0.5% cheaper than in New Brunswick, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,947/month in New Brunswick, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from New Brunswick, NJ to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from New Brunswick, NJ to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $1080 per month, or $12958 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

New Brunswick, NJ vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 New Brunswick, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in New Brunswick, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $137.0K in Pittsburgh, PA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 14.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,080

Savings

Annual Impact

$13.0K

Per year

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

New Brunswick, NJ

Population:56K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$438K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:86

New Brunswick, NJ

The Garden State

56K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 56K 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: New Brunswick, NJ vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	New Brunswick, NJ	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,950/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $343less	17.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,539/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $323less	21.0%
🏥Healthcare	$675/mo	$527/mo	↓ $148less	22.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,078/mo	$989/mo	↓ $89.21less	8.3%
⚡All Utilities	$584/mo	$607/mo	↑ $22.15more	3.8%
🏠Housing	$1,959/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $9.81less	0.5%

📦Other

↓ 17.6%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,950

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$343

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.0%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,539

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$323

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 22.0%

New Brunswick, NJ

$675

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$148

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.3%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,078

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$89.21

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.8%

New Brunswick, NJ

$584

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$22.15

🏠Housing

↓ 0.5%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,959

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$9.81

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

New Brunswick, NJ 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$1,416

To$750

↓ $666

1 Bed

From$1,547

To$850

↓ $697

2 Bed

From$1,947

To$1,050

↓ $897

3 Bed

From$2,332

To$1,400

↓ $932

New Brunswick, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,890–$1,890/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.

$7,785

Monthly in New Brunswick, NJ

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$891

Difference

Home Values

New Brunswick

Pittsburgh

$438K

Median Value

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↑ +35.7%

5-Year Change

Calculate payment - New Brunswick

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$235

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

New Brunswick, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

New Brunswick, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.