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Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 31% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio
$998
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Los Angeles is $858 (86%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom
$1,068
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Los Angeles is $1,013 (95%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom
$1,280
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Los Angeles is $1,345 (105%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom
$1,632
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Los Angeles is $1,703 (104%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income
$76,393
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Los Angeles is $11,367 (15%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Individual earnings
$48,513
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Pittsburgh is $5,036 (12%) higher than Los Angeles
Pittsburgh · Per capita
$48,208
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Pittsburgh is $3,889 (9%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value
$216,700
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Los Angeles is $566,600 (261%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Annual property tax
$3,399
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Los Angeles is $2,039 (60%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity
$143
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles is $24 (17%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Monthly gas
$62
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Pittsburgh is $12 (24%) higher than Los Angeles
Pittsburgh · Annual total
$2,460
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $144 (6%) higher than Pittsburgh

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Pittsburgh and Los Angeles are about the same
Pittsburgh · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Pittsburgh and Los Angeles are about the same
Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate
3.9%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Los Angeles is 4.8% (123%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax
3.1%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 10.2% (333%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · State sales tax
6.0%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 1.3% (21%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax
6.3%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles is 2.5% (40%) higher than Pittsburgh

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute
25.7 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Los Angeles is 5.1 min (20%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Drive alone
63.3%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Los Angeles is 3.1% (5%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Public transit
6.2%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Pittsburgh is 2.0% (48%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person
$3,152
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Los Angeles is $983 (31%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Couple
$4,485
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Los Angeles is $1,849 (41%) higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh · Family
$6,987
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Los Angeles is $2,264 (32%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Is Pittsburgh or Los Angeles more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 31%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is approximately $1,013 (95%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Los Angeles

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

Pittsburgh profile Los Angeles 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.