Living Cost Compare
Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

vs
San Francisco

California

$2,750/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 $2,750 in San Francisco, CA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 53% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Francisco, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $141,446 in San Francisco, CA — about 55% higher in San Francisco, CA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Pittsburgh, PA
San Francisco, CA

Rent

Studio
$1,109
$1,560
+41% in San Francisco, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,079
$2,425
+125% in San Francisco, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,269
$2,982
+135% in San Francisco, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,450
$3,269
+125% in San Francisco, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$193,200
$1,380,500
+615% in San Francisco, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$64,137
$141,446
+121% in San Francisco, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,650
$74,260
+50% in San Francisco, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.5 yr
39.7 yr
+6.2 yr in San Francisco, CA
Homeownership
47.2%
38.5%
+8.7 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
47.8%
60.1%
+12.3 pp in San Francisco, CA
Avg Commute
23.1 min
31.2 min
+8.1 min in San Francisco, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
436
596.5
+37% in San Francisco, CA
Property Crime
2,315.7
3,962.2
+71% in San Francisco, CA

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
57.3°F
+5.5°F in San Francisco, CA
Annual Precipitation
39.3 in
23.6 in
+15.6 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$5.43/gal
+41% in San Francisco, CA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.6
33.3
+54% in San Francisco, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.17
$20.72
+8% in San Francisco, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in San Francisco, CA
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in San Francisco, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in San Francisco, CA
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 / CA)
6%
7.25%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
13.30%
+10.2 pp in CA

Pittsburgh vs San Francisco — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or San Francisco?
Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 53% below San Francisco, CA's $2,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in San Francisco?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $97,000 in San Francisco.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or San Francisco?
Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); San Francisco under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).