Side-by-side comparison

Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Pittsburgh is approximately 2% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Pittsburgh · Studio

$998

Detroit · Studio

$991

Pittsburgh is $7 (1%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · 1 bedroom

$1,068

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Detroit is $22 (2%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 2 bedroom

$1,280

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Detroit is $98 (8%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · 3 bedroom

$1,632

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Detroit is $56 (3%) higher than Pittsburgh

Income & earnings in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Pittsburgh · Household income

$76,393

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Pittsburgh is $16,872 (28%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Individual earnings

$48,513

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Pittsburgh is $8,534 (21%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Per capita

$48,208

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Pittsburgh is $14,252 (42%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Pittsburgh · Average home value

$216,700

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Pittsburgh is $46,500 (27%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Annual property tax

$3,399

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Pittsburgh is $605 (22%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Pittsburgh · Monthly electricity

$143

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Pittsburgh is $15 (12%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Monthly gas

$62

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $1 (2%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Annual total

$2,460

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Pittsburgh is $168 (7%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Pittsburgh · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Pittsburgh and Detroit are about the same

Pittsburgh · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Pittsburgh and Detroit are about the same

Pittsburgh · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Detroit is 1.8% (46%) higher than Pittsburgh

Taxes in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Pittsburgh · State income tax

3.1%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 1.2% (38%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Pittsburgh and Detroit are about the same

Pittsburgh · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Pittsburgh is 0.3% (6%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Pittsburgh · Average commute

25.7 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Pittsburgh is 0.7 min (3%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Drive alone

63.3%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 9.7% (15%) higher than Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · Public transit

6.2%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Pittsburgh is 4.0% (182%) higher than Detroit

Monthly cost estimates in Pittsburgh vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Pittsburgh · Single person

$3,152

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Pittsburgh is $64 (2%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Couple

$4,485

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Pittsburgh is $139 (3%) higher than Detroit

Pittsburgh · Family

$6,987

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Pittsburgh is $198 (3%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Is Pittsburgh or Detroit more expensive?

Pittsburgh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,152/mo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Pittsburgh and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $1,068/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is approximately $22 (2%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Pittsburgh or Detroit?

Pittsburgh has the higher average household income. Pittsburgh households earn approximately $76,393 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Pittsburgh and Detroit

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

Pittsburgh profile Detroit 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.