Living Cost Compare
Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/mo est.

vs
Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,090 in Huntsville, AL versus $1,320 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $70,778 in Huntsville, AL and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 9% higher in Huntsville, AL. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Huntsville, AL
Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio
$815
$1,109
+36% in Pittsburgh, PA
1 Bedroom
$900
$1,079
+20% in Pittsburgh, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,080
$1,269
+18% in Pittsburgh, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,251
$1,450
+16% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$263,100
$193,200
+27% in Huntsville, AL

Income

Median Household Income
$70,778
$64,137
+9% in Huntsville, AL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,740
$49,650
+4% in Huntsville, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.4 yr
33.5 yr
+2.9 yr in Huntsville, AL
Homeownership
58.1%
47.2%
+10.9 pp in Huntsville, AL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
47.8%
+1.6 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Avg Commute
19.3 min
23.1 min
+3.8 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
483.2
436
+10% in Huntsville, AL
Property Crime
2,395.7
2,315.7
+3% in Huntsville, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
62.1°F
51.8°F
+10.3°F in Huntsville, AL
Annual Precipitation
54.3 in
39.3 in
+15.1 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.94/gal
+9% in Pittsburgh, PA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
21.7
+33% in Pittsburgh, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.06
$26.08
+8% 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 Huntsville, AL
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 (AL / PA)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
3.07%
+1.9 pp in AL

Huntsville vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Huntsville or Pittsburgh?
Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Huntsville than in Pittsburgh?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Huntsville versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Huntsville or Pittsburgh?
Huntsville is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).