Pittsburgh appears moderately affordable relative to its citywide income and housing benchmarks. With a median household income of $65,742, the median gross rent of $1,261 represents about 23% of monthly income, which is within a range often considered manageable. The median home value of $205,800 is roughly 3.1 times the median annual income, suggesting homeownership may be accessible for some households, though affordability varies significantly by individual circumstances and housing type.
Pittsburgh at a glance
What the default budget models
A one-person renting household begins with a modeled annual core-cost baseline of $30,132. It combines the ACS median gross-rent estimate with a uniform $1,250 monthly non-housing baseline. State income tax is excluded until a current official reference is approved; the calculator labels that limitation instead of guessing.
| 2024 ACS population estimate | 304,759 |
| 2024 ACS median household income | $65,742 |
| 2024 ACS median gross rent | $1,261 |
| 2024 ACS median owner-occupied home value | $205,800 |
| Derived one-way commute estimate | 25 minutes |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded — official reference pending |
| Rent-to-income reference | 23% |
The trade-off
Relative strength: Median rent is 23% of median income.. Watch closely: lower home values may reflect older housing stock or limited new construction..
Compare Pittsburgh
Frequently asked questions
Is Pittsburgh affordable for renters?
Based on 2024 ACS data, median gross rent of $1,261 per month is about 23% of the median household income of $65,742, suggesting rent is moderately affordable relative to citywide earnings, though individual affordability depends on specific income and housing costs.
How does Pittsburgh's home value compare to income?
The median owner-occupied home value of $205,800 is approximately 3.1 times the median annual household income of $65,742, indicating homeownership may be within reach for some residents, but actual affordability depends on down payment, credit, and local lending conditions.
Source ledger
Every production input below is retained with its publisher and dataset. The ACS figures are five-year estimates, not live listings or guarantees.
- PopulationU.S. Census Bureau · 2024 ACS 5-Year B01003
- Median household incomeU.S. Census Bureau · 2024 ACS 5-Year B19013
- Median gross rentU.S. Census Bureau · 2024 ACS 5-Year B25064
- Median owner-occupied home valueU.S. Census Bureau · 2024 ACS 5-Year B25077
- Commute-time distributionU.S. Census Bureau · 2024 ACS 5-Year B08303
Interpretation: The ACS 2024 five-year estimates generally summarize observations across 2020–2024. The commute number is a weighted midpoint estimate from table B08303. State income tax is not included in the modeled take-home result. Verify a current address, quote, commute, and tax situation before making a decision.