Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Fairfax, Virginia.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 53% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Fairfax is $1,014 (102%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Fairfax is $988 (93%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Fairfax is $1,034 (81%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Fairfax is $1,261 (77%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Fairfax is $73,720 (97%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Fairfax is $23,059 (48%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Fairfax is $21,763 (45%) higher than Pittsburgh

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Fairfax is $483,000 (223%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Fairfax is $3,673 (108%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Fairfax is $10 (7%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Pittsburgh is $13 (27%) higher than Fairfax

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Pittsburgh is $36 (1%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Fairfax are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Fairfax are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Fairfax is 3.5% (90%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Fairfax is 2.7% (87%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Pittsburgh is 0.7% (13%) higher than Fairfax

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Pittsburgh is 0.6% (10%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Fairfax is 3.8 min (15%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Pittsburgh is 5.4% (9%) higher than Fairfax

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Pittsburgh is 0.9% (17%) higher than Fairfax

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Fairfax

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Fairfax is $1,656 (53%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Fairfax is $2,985 (67%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Fairfax is $3,224 (46%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Fairfax.

Is Pittsburgh or Fairfax more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia, a difference of about 53%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Fairfax?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $2,056/mo in Fairfax, Virginia. Fairfax is approximately $988 (93%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Fairfax?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Fairfax

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

Pittsburgh profile Fairfax 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.