Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Steel City reinvented
U.S. News (2025)
#30 Best Places to Live
Livability (2025)
#15 Top 100 Best Places to Live
WhereAtHome Score
75
Cout of 100
Overview
Pittsburgh has transformed from a declining steel town into a hub for healthcare, education, and technology. Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh anchor a growing tech scene. Very affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods built on hills create a unique urban character.
Key Highlights
- Carnegie Mellon robotics and AI leadership
- UPMC and major healthcare hub
- Very affordable housing for a major city
- Distinctive hillside neighborhoods
- Strong sports culture (Steelers, Penguins)
- Growing tech and startup scene
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Allegheny County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
83°F
Winter Low
22°F
Annual Rainfall
38"
Sunny Days
160
Amenities & Infrastructure
165+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
10 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
8 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
Related Reading
City Comparison Criteria: How to Decide What Actually Matters to You
A practical framework for filtering out deal-breakers first, then weighting what's left, shown with five real cities ranked three different ways.
market trendsHome Values vs. Housing Affordability: Why Cheaper Isn't Always More Affordable
Naperville, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco show why a home's price tag and its real affordability can tell very different stories.
relocation tipsHow to Compare Walkability Between Cities Using Real Walk Score Data
San Francisco scores 89. Raleigh scores 31. Here's what that gap actually measures, what it misses, and how to field-test it before you move.
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