Is Boston, MA cheaper than Pittsburgh, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Boston, MA is 67.4% more expensive than Pittsburgh, PA. This translates to spending an extra $5056 per month.

What salary do I need in Boston, MA to live like I do in Pittsburgh, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Pittsburgh, PA, you'd need approximately $210,674.157 in Boston, MA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA?

Housing in Boston, MA is 170.7% more expensive than in Pittsburgh, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,865/month in Boston, MA compared to $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Boston, MA?

Living in Boston, MA costs approximately $5056 more per month than Pittsburgh, PA, or $60674 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Pittsburgh, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in Boston, MA

$150.0K in your current city equals $210.7K in Boston, MA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Pittsburgh, PA area

Overall Cost

↑ 67.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,056

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$60.7K

Per year

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:

167

(67% above avg)

Median Home:$961K

Pittsburgh, PA

The Keystone State

303K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 303K residents.

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA

Category	Pittsburgh, PA	Boston, MA	Difference	Change
Housing	$1,949/mo	$5,275/mo	↑ $3,326more	170.7%
Transportation	$1,216/mo	$1,830/mo	↑ $615more	50.6%
Other	$1,607/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $218more	13.5%
Healthcare	$527/mo	$743/mo	↑ $217more	41.2%
All Utilities	$607/mo	$716/mo	↑ $109more	18.0%
Groceries	$989/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $89.93more	9.1%

Housing

↑ 170.7%

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Boston, MA

$5,275

Difference

$3,326

Transportation

↑ 50.6%

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Boston, MA

$1,830

Difference

$615

Other

↑ 13.5%

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Boston, MA

$1,825

Difference

$218

Healthcare

↑ 41.2%

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Boston, MA

$743

Difference

$217

All Utilities

↑ 18.0%

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Boston, MA

$716

Difference

$109

Groceries

↑ 9.1%

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Boston, MA

$1,079

Difference

$89.93

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Boston, MA 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$750

To$3,095

↑ $2,345

1 Bed

From$850

To$3,255

↑ $2,405

2 Bed

From$1,050

To$3,865

↑ $2,815

3 Bed

From$1,400

To$4,630

↑ $3,230

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$4,575

Difference

Home Values

Pittsburgh

Boston

Median Value

$961K

YoY Change

↓ -0.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +7%

Price Range

$709K - $3.40M

Calculate payment - Boston

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$241

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

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

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts 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

Additional Tax Information

Pittsburgh, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 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

Pittsburgh

Boston

52 Moderate

Air Quality

36 Good

47.8%

Good Air Days

79.5%

98 High

Climate Risk

94 Moderate

🌊🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌅🌀

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

12 days

Heat Days >95°F

6 days

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

12 days

Heat Days >95°F

6 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Pittsburgh, PA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Boston, MA

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in Boston, MA

Pittsburgh, PA

Boston, MA

Pittsburgh, PA

Boston, MA

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code12 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP11 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Pittsburgh, PA

Boston, MA

Additional Tax Information

Pittsburgh, PA Tax Rates

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Boston, MA