Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Pittsburgh and Rochester have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Pennsylvania salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Pittsburgh has a housing index of 79 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Pittsburgh costs $195,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Pittsburgh versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Pittsburgh scores 101 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Pittsburgh (95) are lower than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Pittsburgh is $52,536 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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