Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Tacoma?

Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Tacoma?

Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Pittsburgh vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 24% higher in Tacoma, WA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Pittsburgh, PA

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,109

$1,178

+6% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,079

$1,332

+23% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,269

$1,693

+33% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,450

$2,094

+44% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$193,200

$454,600

+135% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,137

$83,857

+31% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,650

$72,610

+46% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

37.3 yr

+3.8 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

47.2%

56.5%

+9.3 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.8%

33.5%

+14.3 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

23.1 min

29.0 min

+5.9 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436

1,064.4

+144% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,315.7

5,695.2

+146% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+0.3°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

39.3 in

43.0 in

+3.7 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

14.9

+31% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$20.41

+6% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Tacoma, WA

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 / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

None

+3.1 pp in PA

Pittsburgh vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Tacoma?: Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Tacoma?: Pittsburgh is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).