Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/mo est.

vs
Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 2% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,109
+19% in Pittsburgh, PA
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,079
+12% in Pittsburgh, PA
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,269
+12% in Pittsburgh, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$1,450
+11% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$193,200
+7% in Indianapolis, IN

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$64,137
+2% in Pittsburgh, PA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$49,650
+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
33.5 yr
+0.6 yr in Indianapolis, IN
Homeownership
55.3%
47.2%
+8.1 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
47.8%
+13.6 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Avg Commute
24.3 min
23.1 min
+1.2 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
436
+53% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
2,315.7
+31% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
51.8°F
+1.4°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
39.3 in
+3.1 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.86/gal
+2% in Indianapolis, IN

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

Adult base one-way fare — IndyGo vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
18.1
21.6
+19% in Pittsburgh, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$13.70
$19.17
+40% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.92
+16% in Pittsburgh, PA
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in Pittsburgh, PA
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in Pittsburgh, PA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / PA)
7%
6%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
3.07%
+0.1 pp in PA

Indianapolis vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Pittsburgh?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Pittsburgh?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Pittsburgh?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).