Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 46% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $1,240 (124%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $1,225 (115%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $1,391 (109%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $1,889 (116%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Seattle is $45,755 (60%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $18,628 (38%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $22,854 (47%) higher than Pittsburgh

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $594,500 (274%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Seattle is $3,386 (100%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Pittsburgh is $34 (31%) higher than Seattle

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Pittsburgh is $14 (29%) higher than Seattle

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Pittsburgh is $576 (31%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Seattle are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Seattle are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Seattle is 1.3% (33%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Pittsburgh is 3.1% higher than Seattle

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Seattle is 0.5% (8%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 3.9% (61%) higher than Pittsburgh

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Seattle is 2.4 min (9%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Pittsburgh is 11.5% (22%) higher than Seattle

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle is 1.8% (29%) higher than Pittsburgh

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Seattle is $1,436 (46%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Seattle is $1,939 (43%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Seattle is $2,453 (35%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Seattle.

Is Pittsburgh or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 46%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $1,225 (115%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Seattle?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Seattle

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

Pittsburgh profile Seattle 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.