Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh: Housing Costs in Pennsylvania
Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Using Pennsylvania's 1.36% property tax rate and $1,400/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Median Home Price
$265K
$235K
Population
1,603,797
302,971
Average Rent
$1,550/mo
$1,280/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)
$1,507/mo
$1,337/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax
$300/mo
$266/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance
$117/mo
$117/mo
Est. Total PITI
$2,024/mo
$1,808/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2
15.3
Verdict
Pittsburgh edges out Philadelphia in affordability, saving you roughly $216/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Pennsylvania, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Monthly Payment Comparison
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Pennsylvania's 1.36% property tax rate.
Philadelphia
Home Price$265,000
Down Payment (10%)$26,500
Loan Amount$238,500
Monthly P&I$1,507
Monthly Property Tax$300
Monthly Insurance$117
Monthly PMI$99
Total PITI$2,024/mo
Annual property tax: $3,604
Pittsburgh
Home Price$235,000
Down Payment (10%)$23,500
Loan Amount$211,500
Monthly P&I$1,337
Monthly Property Tax$266
Monthly Insurance$117
Monthly PMI$88
Total PITI$1,808/mo
Annual property tax: $3,196
Buying in Pittsburgh saves you approximately $216/month ($2,592/year) compared to Philadelphia, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Which City Is Better For...
First-Time Buyers
Pittsburgh is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $235K versus $265K in Philadelphia. That's $30K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $8K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Pittsburgh, compared to $9K in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania offers the PHFA Keystone Advantage program (Up to $6,000 DPA) which applies in both cities.
Real Estate Investment
Philadelphia has the better price-to-rent ratio at 14.2x versus 15.3x in Pittsburgh. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Philadelphia is $1,550/month on a $265K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Families
Philadelphia (pop. 1,603,797) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Pittsburgh (pop. 302,971) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Pittsburgh, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.