City cost comparison
Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Pittsburgh, PA against Philadelphia, PA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $702 | $945 | +26% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,209 | $1,483 | +18% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $620 | $700 | +11% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| FoodPer child / month | $331 | $378 | +12% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $79 | $94 | +16% cheaper in Pittsburgh |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.