City cost comparison
Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Philadelphia, PA against Pittsburgh, PA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Pittsburgh, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $945 | $702 | +35% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,483 | $1,209 | +23% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $700 | $620 | +13% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| FoodPer child / month | $378 | $331 | +14% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $94 | $79 | +19% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.