Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than Tuscaloosa, AL?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 0.9% cheaper than Tuscaloosa, AL. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in Tuscaloosa, AL?

If you earn $150,000 in Tuscaloosa, AL, you'd need approximately $149,180.802 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Tuscaloosa, AL and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 1.8% cheaper than in Tuscaloosa, AL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,280/month in Tuscaloosa, AL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Pittsburgh, PA?

Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $68 per month, or $819 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Tuscaloosa, AL vs Pittsburgh, PA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Tuscaloosa, AL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area

Current salary in Tuscaloosa, AL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $68.27/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.2K in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Overall Cost

↓ 0.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$68.27

Savings

Annual Impact

$819

Per year

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Population:111K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$238K

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:99

Tuscaloosa, AL

The Heart of Dixie

111K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 111K 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: Tuscaloosa, AL vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	Tuscaloosa, AL	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
⚡All Utilities	$550/mo	$607/mo	↑ $56.88more	10.3%
🏠Housing	$1,985/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $36.29less	1.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,241/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $25.27less	2.0%
📦Other	$1,625/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $17.48less	1.1%
🛒Groceries	$975/mo	$989/mo	↑ $14.57more	1.5%
🏥Healthcare	$523/mo	$527/mo	↑ $4.13more	0.8%

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.3%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$550

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$56.88

🏠Housing

↓ 1.8%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$1,985

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$36.29

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.0%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$1,241

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$25.27

less

📦Other

↓ 1.1%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$1,625

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$17.48

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 1.5%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$975

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$14.57

🏥Healthcare

↑ 0.8%

Tuscaloosa, AL

$523

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$4.13

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Tuscaloosa, AL 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$1,058

To$750

↓ $308

1 Bed

From$1,063

To$850

↓ $213

2 Bed

From$1,280

To$1,050

↓ $230

3 Bed

From$1,631

To$1,400

↓ $231

Tuscaloosa, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $940–$1,260/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.

$6,898

Monthly in Tuscaloosa, AL

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$3.46

Difference

Home Values

Tuscaloosa

Pittsburgh

$238K

Median Value

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↑ +25.3%

5-Year Change

$172K - $440K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Tuscaloosa

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

$238

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

Tuscaloosa, AL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alabama State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,794/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

Tuscaloosa, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%

Property Tax:0.4%

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

Tuscaloosa

Pittsburgh

57 Moderate

Air Quality

52 Moderate

26%

Good Air Days

47.8%

98 High

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌪💨

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

12 days

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

41 days

Heat Days >95°F

12 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Tuscaloosa, AL on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Pittsburgh, PA

Other cities in a similar price range

Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC Dallas, TX

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $68.27/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

Tuscaloosa, AL

Pittsburgh, PA

Tuscaloosa, AL

Pittsburgh, PA

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code4 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Tuscaloosa, AL

Pittsburgh, PA

Additional Tax Information

Tuscaloosa, AL Tax Rates

Pittsburgh, PA Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Pittsburgh, PA