Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Houston is approximately 1% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $3,185/mo in Houston versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Houston is $228 (23%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Houston is $211 (20%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Houston is $249 (19%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Houston is $406 (25%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Pittsburgh is $3,289 (4%) higher than Houston

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Pittsburgh is $6,775 (16%) higher than Houston

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Pittsburgh is $8,230 (21%) higher than Houston

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Houston is $38,300 (18%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Houston is $983 (29%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston is $24 (17%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Pittsburgh is $30 (94%) higher than Houston

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Pittsburgh is $72 (3%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Houston are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Houston are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 17.3% (444%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Pittsburgh is 3.1% higher than Houston

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston is 0.3% (4%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston is 1.8% (29%) higher than Pittsburgh

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 3.3 min (13%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 9.1% (14%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Pittsburgh is 4.1% (195%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Houston

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Houston is $33 (1%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Houston is $51 (1%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Houston · Family

$7,187

Houston is $200 (3%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Houston.

Is Pittsburgh or Houston more expensive?

Houston is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Houston is approximately $211 (20%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Houston?

Pittsburgh has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Houston

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

Pittsburgh profile Houston 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.