Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 18% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Chicago is $460 (46%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Chicago is $492 (46%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Chicago is $481 (38%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Chicago is $630 (39%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Chicago is $5,404 (7%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Chicago is $785 (2%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Pittsburgh is $407 (1%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Chicago is $88,500 (41%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Chicago is $2,654 (78%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Pittsburgh is $27 (23%) higher than Chicago

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Pittsburgh is $1 (2%) higher than Chicago

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Pittsburgh is $336 (16%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Chicago are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Chicago are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Chicago is 5.1% (131%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Chicago is 1.9% (61%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Chicago is 2.5% (39%) higher than Pittsburgh

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Chicago is 6.2 min (24%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Pittsburgh is 7.1% (13%) higher than Chicago

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Chicago is 6.8% (110%) higher than Pittsburgh

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Chicago

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Chicago is $555 (18%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Chicago is $680 (15%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Chicago is $824 (12%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Is Pittsburgh or Chicago more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Chicago?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $1,560/mo in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is approximately $492 (46%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Chicago?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Chicago

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Pittsburgh profile Chicago profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.