Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Pittsburgh?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Pittsburgh?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 38% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,109

+10% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,079

+32% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,269

+32% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,450

+35% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$193,200

+62% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$64,137

+38% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,650

+16% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

33.5 yr

+7.4 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

47.2%

+12.6 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

47.8%

+5.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

23.1 min

+5.6 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

436

+46% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

2,315.7

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

51.8°F

+5.3°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

39.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

21.6

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$19.17

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / PA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.07%

+3.4 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Pittsburgh?: Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Pittsburgh?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).