Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Salem?

Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Salem?

Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Pittsburgh vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Salem, OR is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 11% higher in Salem, OR. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Pittsburgh, PA

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,109

$1,075

+3% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,079

$989

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,269

$1,337

+5% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,450

$1,778

+23% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$193,200

$382,400

+98% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$64,137

$71,900

+12% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,650

$55,310

+11% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

35.7 yr

+2.2 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

47.2%

55.7%

+8.5 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.8%

31.4%

+16.4 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

23.1 min

22.4 min

+0.7 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436

540.6

+24% in Salem, OR

Property Crime

2,315.7

2,878.6

+24% in Salem, OR

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

53.0°F

+1.2°F in Salem, OR

Annual Precipitation

39.3 in

39.7 in

+0.4 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Salem, OR

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

16.3

+25% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$20.59

+7% in Salem, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / OR)

None

+6.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

9.90%

+6.8 pp in OR

Pittsburgh vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Salem?: Salem, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Salem?: Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).