Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

What's the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA?

While housing is cheaper in Pittsburgh than it is in other major cities, residents note the housing costs are gradually rising. Some residents worry they will be priced out of their homes in neighborhoods being rebuilt by developers, while gentrification has pushed lower-income residents out of some neighborhoods.

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What's the best way to get around Pittsburgh, PA?

With many residents relying on automobiles to get to work, traffic on weekday mornings and afternoons can be problematic. Commute times average about a half hour, though they can reach upward of an hour.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County, which includes the bus and light rail system, is another major mode of transportation. The bus system services the downtown area and suburbs of Allegheny County. The light rail, or T, has two lines running from points south into the downtown area and the North Shore.

Downtown Pittsburgh is very walkable. Meanwhile, more people are commuting by bike; there are bike rentals throughout the city proper that Pittsburghers can rent by the hour or the entire day. 

With three airports (Pittsburgh International Airport, Allegheny County Airport and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport), an Amtrak train station downtown and a bus terminal downtown, Pittsburgh is very accessible. 

Who lives in Pittsburgh, PA?

Decades ago, Pittsburgh lost its younger population to other metro areas due to a poor job market. Now, they are returning, thanks to affordable housing and job growth. With Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and other higher-learning institutions in the area, there is a population of students from around the country and world. Many college graduates choose to remain, finding opportunities with the many companies that now call Pittsburgh home.

Pittsburgh is generally a Catholic area. The Diocese of Pittsburgh, however, was forced to close parishes as the Catholic population passes away or moves. Squirrel Hill, the Jewish center of Pittsburgh, has a thriving community, several day schools and roughly a dozen synagogues. Pittsburgh also has service organizations designed to help immigrants from Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe settle here.

Popular neighborhoods include the lively Shadyside, residential Squirrel Hill, trendy Lawrenceville and up-and-coming East Liberty. Residents who want fantastic views of the city live on Mount Washington. Those who want industrial vibes and good food head to the Strip District. The Mexican War Streets neighborhood is dotted with historic rowhouses. The greater Pittsburgh area is also home to suburbs such as Mount Lebanon, Fox Chapel and Sewickley, which pair higher home prices with good amenities.