CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Pittsburgh is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 10.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $72,000 in Pittsburgh. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing54.1%
Boulder
157
Pittsburgh
72
🛒 Groceries+4.8%
Boulder
96.1
Pittsburgh
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Boulder
104.8
Pittsburgh
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Boulder
94.8
Pittsburgh
92.8
Utilities+30.2%
Boulder
82.7
Pittsburgh
107.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Pittsburgh to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$72,000
$8,000 less needed in Pittsburgh

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9002. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Home Price
$218,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
72
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Boulder has 54.1% lower housing costs compared to Pittsburgh.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Household Income
$72,500
Per Capita Income
$41,300
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
302,971
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyFinanceEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Pittsburgh, PA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.