Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 43% more expensive than Pittsburgh. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $1,147 (115%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $1,260 (118%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,601 (125%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $2,220 (136%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $25,892 (34%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $1,039 (2%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $1,683 (3%) higher than Pittsburgh

Home values in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $574,900 (265%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $2,143 (63%) higher than Pittsburgh

Energy in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $24 (17%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Pittsburgh is $12 (24%) higher than San Diego

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $144 (6%) higher than Pittsburgh

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and San Diego are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and San Diego are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

San Diego is 2.9% (74%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 10.2% (333%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.3% (21%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 2.5% (40%) higher than Pittsburgh

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

San Diego is 0.2 min (1%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 4.3% (7%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Pittsburgh is 4.0% (182%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $1,359 (43%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $2,456 (55%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $3,132 (45%) higher than Pittsburgh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and San Diego.

Is Pittsburgh or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 43%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $1,260 (118%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and San Diego

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

Pittsburgh profile San Diego 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.