Denver vs Pittsburgh: cost of living compared
Pittsburgh is 31% cheaper than Denver overall. State income tax tops out around 3.07% in PA vs 4.4% in CO.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Denver and Pittsburgh presents a substantial difference in overall cost of living. Pittsburgh is noticeably more affordable across the board, with its overall expenses coming in well below the national average. Denver, in contrast, is considerably more expensive than the national average, making the financial impact of such a move quite significant. The primary driver of this disparity is the cost of housing in each city.
Housing
Housing costs represent the largest gap between these two metros. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in Denver. The median home price in Denver is dramatically higher, and a typical one-bedroom rental also commands a much greater monthly payment. Pittsburgh offers significantly more affordable housing options, whether you are looking to purchase or rent, providing considerable savings.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses also show a clear advantage for Pittsburgh. State income tax is lower in Pennsylvania. Groceries, healthcare, and transportation are all more affordable in Pittsburgh. While utilities are slightly cheaper in Denver, this is a minor difference compared to the savings found in other categories. Overall, routine spending on essential goods and services will be noticeably less in Pittsburgh.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, a move involves different environments. Denver offers a high-altitude, sunny, and drier climate with proximity to the Rocky Mountains, attracting those who enjoy outdoor activities. Pittsburgh has a more humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, known for its hilly terrain and river confluence. Both cities have similar average commute times, but their urban character and pace differ, with Pittsburgh often perceived as having a more established, industrial-era feel.
Bottom line
For households weighing a move, the financial implications are stark. Pittsburgh offers a much more budget-friendly environment, primarily due to significantly lower housing costs, but also benefiting from reduced expenses across most other categories. A household's budget will stretch considerably further in Pittsburgh compared to Denver, where the cost of living, particularly housing, demands a much higher income to maintain a similar standard of living.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 128 | 88 |
| Housing index | 146 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 104 | 98 |
| Food index | 105 | 95 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 98 |
| Utilities index | 98 | 102 |
| Misc index | 108 | 88 |
| Median home price | $548,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,950/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 28 min | 28 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Pittsburgh home with the True Cost Calculator.