Hartford vs Pittsburgh: cost of living compared
Pittsburgh is 25% cheaper than Hartford overall. State income tax tops out around 3.07% in PA vs 5.5% in CT.
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
Pittsburgh presents a significantly more affordable cost of living compared to Hartford. The overall expenses in Pittsburgh are well below the national average, while Hartford's are noticeably higher. This substantial difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are much lower in Pittsburgh, but also extends to most other spending categories.
Housing
Both buying a home and renting an apartment are considerably less expensive in Pittsburgh than in Hartford. Median home prices show a substantial gap, making homeownership more accessible in Pittsburgh. Rental costs for a typical one-bedroom also reflect this trend, with Hartford demanding a noticeably higher monthly outlay for housing.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses, including food, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services, are generally lower in Pittsburgh. Transportation costs are roughly similar in both metros. However, utilities are significantly more expensive in Hartford. Additionally, Pennsylvania's state income tax rate is noticeably lower than Connecticut's, impacting overall take-home pay.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Hartford experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters with snow, while Pittsburgh also has four seasons with cold, snowy winters. Pittsburgh is known for its hilly terrain and a more compact, dense urban core. Hartford, as a state capital, has a different feel. Commute times are very similar in both cities.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, Pittsburgh offers a substantial financial advantage across nearly all budget categories, especially housing and utilities. While transportation costs are comparable, the lower state income tax in Pennsylvania further enhances Pittsburgh's affordability. A move to Pittsburgh would likely result in a much lower overall household budget.
| Measure | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 88 |
| Housing index | 86 | 64 |
| Transportation index | 100 | 98 |
| Food index | 108 | 95 |
| Healthcare index | 112 | 98 |
| Utilities index | 148 | 102 |
| Misc index | 108 | 88 |
| Median home price | $298,000 | $218,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,350/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 27 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.