Living Cost Compare
Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

vs
Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA versus $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 2% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Pittsburgh, PA
Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio
$1,109
$1,183
+7% in Richmond, VA
1 Bedroom
$1,079
$1,195
+11% in Richmond, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,269
$1,374
+8% in Richmond, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,450
$1,447
+0% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$193,200
$328,100
+70% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$64,137
$62,671
+2% in Pittsburgh, PA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,650
$51,460
+4% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.5 yr
34.5 yr
+1.0 yr in Richmond, VA
Homeownership
47.2%
43.5%
+3.7 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
47.8%
44.1%
+3.7 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Avg Commute
23.1 min
22.1 min
+1.0 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
436
349
+20% in Pittsburgh, PA
Property Crime
2,315.7
3,240.2
+40% in Richmond, VA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
51.8°F
58.9°F
+7.1°F in Richmond, VA
Annual Precipitation
39.3 in
43.6 in
+4.3 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
17.6
+18% in Pittsburgh, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$23.66
+23% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Pittsburgh, PA
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.75
+9% in Pittsburgh, PA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Richmond, VA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.45
+6% in Pittsburgh, PA
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$1.90
+13% in Pittsburgh, PA
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.62
+11% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / VA)
6%
5.3%
+0.7 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
5.75%
+2.7 pp in VA

Pittsburgh vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Richmond?
Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in Richmond?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Richmond?
Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).