Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 39% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Cambridge is $671 (67%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Cambridge is $677 (63%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Cambridge is $989 (77%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Cambridge is $872 (53%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $50,386 (66%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $17,611 (36%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $19,263 (40%) higher than Pittsburgh

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Cambridge is $470,500 (217%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $3,841 (113%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $29 (20%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $12 (19%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $492 (20%) higher than Pittsburgh

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Cambridge are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Cambridge are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Pittsburgh is 1.5% (63%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 1.9% (63%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 0.3% (4%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Pittsburgh is 0.1% (1%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 4.3 min (17%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Pittsburgh is 7.3% (13%) higher than Cambridge

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge is 1.8% (29%) higher than Pittsburgh

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Cambridge is $1,239 (39%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $2,297 (51%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $2,230 (32%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Cambridge.

Is Pittsburgh or Cambridge more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 39%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is approximately $677 (63%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Cambridge

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

Pittsburgh profile Cambridge 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.