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Pittsburgh
#4 of 124
North America

Pittsburgh

PA, United States

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking
Median Salary
$144,000
Based on 266 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$104,400
Tax Rate: 28%
Cost of Living
Same as Pittsburgh
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Pittsburgh

Meta logo
Meta
Google logo
Google
Duolingo logo
Duolingo

Community Insights

New
7.8/10

Pittsburgh offers perhaps the best value-for-money proposition for software engineers in the United States right now. The combination of a high median tech salary ($133,000) and rock-bottom housing costs allows for a level of financial freedom that is impossible in Silicon Valley or Seattle. The tech scene is intellectual and grounded, heavily influenced by Carnegie Mellon's leadership in robotics and AI, fostering a community that is smart but unpretentious.

However, the lifestyle trade-offs are significant. You are trading sunshine for savings; the weather is persistently grey and wet, which is a frequent dealbreaker for those sensitive to seasonal depression. Additionally, while the city is charming and historic, it struggles with air quality issues and aging infrastructure. For those who can handle the gloom, it is a hidden gem where you can own a home and build a career in cutting-edge tech without the burnout of a major metropolis.

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

Rankings

Home Affordability

Top 2%

#2

of 124 cities

≈1.8 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Purchasing Power

Top 3%

#4

of 124 cities

Net Income

Top 13%

#16

of 124 cities

$104,400/yr

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking
Avg. Property Price
$2,383 / m²
View detailed property prices on Numbeo
Exceptional Housing Affordability: Ranked #2 globally for housing affordability in the provided data; residents frequently mention buying historic homes or spacious condos for a fraction of the cost in coastal tech hubs.
  • High Purchasing Power: With a median SWE salary of $133k and #70 cost of living rank, software engineers enjoy a lavish lifestyle, often saving significantly more than they could in NYC or SF.
  • Emerging Tech & Robotics Hub: Home to Carnegie Mellon University, the city has a distinct, intellectual tech vibe with a global reputation in AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, hosting offices for Google, Duolingo, and Argo AI.
  • Distinct Neighborhood Character: Areas like Lawrenceville (trendy, breweries), Shadyside (historic, upscale), and Squirrel Hill (diverse, family-friendly) offer walkable, community-focused living that feels more "Brooklyn" than Rust Belt.
  • Authentic Community Vibe: Transplants consistently praise the "Pittsburgh Left" courtesy and general friendliness, describing a city that is welcoming and unpretentious compared to competitive tech cities.

    • The Bad

    • Gloomy Weather & SAD: A major complaint; the city is one of the cloudiest in the US, with frequent grey skies, rain (over 100 days/year), and long winters that trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder for many.
    • Poor Air Quality: Despite improvements, residents often cite industrial smells (sulfur) and high particulate matter (#64 pollution index) due to valley topography trapping pollutants, especially in the Mon Valley area.
    • Public Transit Limitations: While better than many US cities, the bus and light rail system is hub-and-spoke centered on Downtown; traveling between neighborhoods often requires a car, and service can be unreliable off-peak.
    • Infrastructure Issues: The city is famous for its confusing, narrow, hilly roads and "pothole seasons," making driving frustrating for newcomers unaccustomed to the terrain.
    • Limited Direct Flights: The airport has fewer direct international connections compared to major hubs, adding travel time for expats visiting home.

    Moving Here

    Moderate

    Moving to Pittsburgh is culturally easy for English speakers, with a friendly and welcoming local population. The tech community is active (groups like Code & Supply) and accessible. However, as a US city, visa barriers remain high for non-citizens (H1B/L1 complexities). Daily life requires English fluently. While you can survive in specific neighborhoods (Shadyside, East Liberty) without a car, owning a vehicle is highly recommended for full access to the region.

    Who Is This City For?

    Engineers looking to buy a home immediately, families wanting high-quality amenities at a low cost, and specialists in robotics, AI, or healthcare tech. It is less suitable for those who need sunshine to function or young singles seeking a 24/7 fast-paced cosmopolitan nightlife.

    Updated 1/20/2026

    Weather3.8/10
    Safety61
    Pollution47
    Events0

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    16°C
    Average Low
    7°C
    Sunshine Hours
    2,021h/yr
    Hottest Month High
    28°C
    Coldest Month Low
    -4°C
    Rainy Days
    103/yr
    Muggy Days
    33/yr
    Cloud Cover
    51%

    Community & Quality

    Pittsburgh community pulse

    Pittsburgh has 0 Luma events listed.

    Tax Rate

    Top 26%

    #32

    of 124 cities

    28%

    Current value (lower is better)

    Safety Index

    Middle of the pack

    #50

    of 124 cities

    60.6/100

    Current value

    Pollution Score

    Middle of the pack

    #59

    of 124 cities

    46.9/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Cost of Living

    Middle of the pack

    #64

    of 124 cities

    51/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Comfortable Weather

    Middle of the pack

    #78

    of 124 cities

    38/100 weather score

    Current value

    Community Events

    Bottom 11%

    #112

    of 124 cities

    0 events on luma

    Current value

    SWE Affordability
    1.8 years