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Portland vs Pittsburgh

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Pittsburgh is 33% cheaper than Portland overall.Portland has a cost of living index of 133 vs Pittsburgh at 89 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Portland costs 59% more.

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Portland
OR
133
COLI index
VS
Pittsburgh
PA
89
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryPortlandPittsburghDifference
Overall COLI13389-33%
Housing19882-59%
Groceries110101-8%
Transport11298-12%
Healthcare105104-1%
Utilities86110+28%

Median 1BR Rent

Portland
$1,650/mo
Pittsburgh
$1,100/mo

Median Home Price

Portland
$495,000
Pittsburgh
$215,000

Median Household Income

Portland
$82,795
Pittsburgh
$47,303

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pittsburgh is cheaper to live in overall. Portland has a cost of living index of 133 while Pittsburgh has an index of 89, where 100 represents the US national average. Pittsburgh is 33% cheaper than Portland overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Portland is $1,650 per month compared to $1,100 in Pittsburgh. The median home price in Portland is $495,000 versus $215,000 in Pittsburgh. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Portland has a cost of living index of 133 and Pittsburgh has an index of 89, 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 Portland, multiply by 0.67. For example a $75,000 salary in Portland is equivalent to approximately $50,188 in Pittsburgh.

Portland has a median household income of $82,795 per year versus $47,303 in Pittsburgh. 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 Portland to Pittsburgh is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Pittsburgh is 33% 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.