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Pittsburgh vs Cleveland

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Cleveland is 4% cheaper than Pittsburgh overall.Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 89 vs Cleveland at 85 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Pittsburgh costs 9% more.

Pierre
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Pittsburgh
PA
89
COLI index
VS
Cleveland
OH
85
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryPittsburghClevelandDifference
Overall COLI8985-4%
Housing8275-9%
Groceries101100-1%
Transport9899+1%
Healthcare104101-3%
Utilities110108-2%

Median 1BR Rent

Pittsburgh
$1,100/mo
Cleveland
$975/mo

Median Home Price

Pittsburgh
$215,000
Cleveland
$130,000

Median Household Income

Pittsburgh
$47,303
Cleveland
$34,981

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland is cheaper to live in overall. Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 89 while Cleveland has an index of 85, where 100 represents the US national average. Cleveland is 4% cheaper than Pittsburgh overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Pittsburgh is $1,100 per month compared to $975 in Cleveland. The median home price in Pittsburgh is $215,000 versus $130,000 in Cleveland. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 89 and Cleveland has an index of 85, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Pittsburgh, multiply by 0.96. For example a $75,000 salary in Pittsburgh is equivalent to approximately $71,629 in Cleveland.

Pittsburgh has a median household income of $47,303 per year versus $34,981 in Cleveland. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Pittsburgh to Cleveland is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Cleveland is 4% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.