Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Columbus

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio.

Bottom line

Columbus is approximately 1% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $3,178/mo in Columbus versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Columbus is $106 (11%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Columbus is $126 (12%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Columbus is $165 (13%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Columbus is $109 (7%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Pittsburgh is $2,598 (4%) higher than Columbus

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Pittsburgh is $3,225 (7%) higher than Columbus

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Pittsburgh is $5,353 (12%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Columbus is $49,000 (23%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Columbus is $711 (21%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Pittsburgh is $12 (9%) higher than Columbus

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Columbus is $1 (2%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Pittsburgh is $132 (6%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Columbus are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Columbus are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Columbus is 4.5% (115%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Columbus is 0.4% (14%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Pittsburgh is 0.3% (4%) higher than Columbus

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Columbus is 0.9% (14%) higher than Pittsburgh

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Pittsburgh is 3.9 min (18%) higher than Columbus

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Columbus is 7.2% (11%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Pittsburgh is 4.5% (265%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Columbus

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Columbus is $26 (1%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Columbus is $54 (1%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Pittsburgh is $23 (0%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Columbus.

Is Pittsburgh or Columbus more expensive?

Columbus is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Columbus?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $1,194/mo in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus is approximately $126 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Columbus?

Pittsburgh has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Columbus

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

Pittsburgh profile Columbus 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.