Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $34,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Rochester?

Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Pittsburgh vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 27% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Pittsburgh, PA

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,109

$750

+32% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,079

$857

+21% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,269

$1,114

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,450

$1,240

+14% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$193,200

$120,600

+38% in Pittsburgh, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,137

$46,628

+27% in Pittsburgh, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,650

$51,210

+3% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

about equal

Homeownership

47.2%

37.2%

+10.0 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.8%

29.9%

+17.9 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.9 min

+4.2 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436

690

+58% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

2,315.7

3,533.4

+53% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+3.6°F in Pittsburgh, PA

Annual Precipitation

39.3 in

34.3 in

+5.0 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.04/gal

+5% in Rochester, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

29.9

+39% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$22.74

+19% in Rochester, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / NY)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

10.90%

+7.8 pp in NY

Pittsburgh vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $34,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Rochester?: Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).