Living Cost Compare
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE versus $1,320 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,373 in Newark, DE and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 10% higher in Newark, DE. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Newark, DE
Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio
$1,649
$1,109
+33% in Newark, DE
1 Bedroom
$1,391
$1,079
+22% in Newark, DE
2 Bedroom
$1,513
$1,269
+16% in Newark, DE
3 Bedroom
$1,916
$1,450
+24% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$357,600
$193,200
+46% in Newark, DE

Income

Median Household Income
$71,373
$64,137
+10% in Newark, DE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,310
$49,650
+9% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
22.0 yr
33.5 yr
+11.5 yr in Pittsburgh, PA
Homeownership
50.3%
47.2%
+3.1 pp in Newark, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
57.5%
47.8%
+9.7 pp in Newark, DE
Avg Commute
19.6 min
23.1 min
+3.5 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
326.3
436
+34% in Pittsburgh, PA
Property Crime
2,024.6
2,315.7
+14% 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
54.9°F
51.8°F
+3.1°F in Newark, DE
Annual Precipitation
43.1 in
39.3 in
+3.8 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.3
21.7
+13% in Pittsburgh, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.73
$26.08
+12% in Newark, DE

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 Newark, DE
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 (DE / PA)
None
6%
+6.0 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
3.07%
+3.5 pp in DE

Newark vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Pittsburgh?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Newark versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Pittsburgh?
Newark is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).