CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Pittsburgh, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
PA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Memphis is slightly cheaper than Pittsburgh — 2.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Memphis, you would need $82,200 in Pittsburgh. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing9.8%
Memphis
79.8
Pittsburgh
72
🛒 Groceries+4.7%
Memphis
96.2
Pittsburgh
100.7
🚗 Transportation+2.5%
Memphis
100.1
Pittsburgh
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Memphis
90.6
Pittsburgh
92.8
Utilities+45.3%
Memphis
74.1
Pittsburgh
107.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pittsburgh, PA
$82,200
$2,200 more needed in Pittsburgh

Formula: salary × (94.7 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 1.0271. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Pittsburgh, PA

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

Memphis has 9.8% lower housing costs compared to Pittsburgh.

Income & Job Market

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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).

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.