How much does it cost to rent in Pittsburgh, PA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,593. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Pittsburgh cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?

Pittsburgh falls in the middle range for Pennsylvania, ranking #87 out of 167 cities at $1,593/mo.

When was Pittsburgh rent data last updated?

Pittsburgh rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Zach Miller / Unsplash

City Report · PA

Pittsburgh

Name: Average Rent Prices in Pittsburgh, PA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 304,759·87th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Pittsburgh rents are up 7.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,593/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.1%

Month-over-Month

-0.6%

vs US Median

-$372

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Pittsburgh · $1,593

More affordable than 70% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

46/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Pittsburgh's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,593/mo

Expected by trend

$1,565/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Pittsburgh's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,152

1 BR

$1,232

2 BR

$1,477

3 BR

$1,883

4 BR+

$2,029

Research median

$1,477/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$19,116/yr

At $1,593/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (7.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.1% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Pittsburgh, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 49.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

304,759

Median income

$65,742

Median age

33.6

Renters

52.3%

Age distribution

14.6%

37.8%

21.7%

15.6%

Under 1814.6%

18–3437.8%

35–5421.7%

55–6410.4%

65+15.6%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

62.7%

22.3%

White62.7%

Black22.3%

Hispanic4.5%

Asian6.2%

Other4.4%

Education (25+)

23.1%

22.2%

49.1%

No HS diploma5.6%

HS diploma23.1%

Some college22.2%

Bachelor's+49.1%

Housing tenure

47.7%

52.3%

Owner47.7%

Renter52.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Pittsburgh, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,229 → $1,593

up 29.6%

Income

$54,306 → $65,742

up 21.1%

Population

303,207 → 304,759

up 0.5%

Renter share

52.6% → 52.3%

-0.3 pts

Bachelor's+

45.7% → 49.1%

+3.4 pts

The median rent in Pittsburgh, PA stood at $1,229 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,593, reflecting a 29.6% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $54,306 to $65,742 between 2021 and 2024, a 21.1% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 49.1% of adults here, versus 45.7% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Pittsburgh, PA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Pittsburgh

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View Pittsburgh rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pittsburgh on your salary?

At $1,593/mo, how Pittsburgh rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 20.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 28.8% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 25% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 14% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 10.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 30.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 34% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 27.6% income

affordable

By apartment size

Pittsburgh rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Pittsburgh. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pittsburgh

About renting in Pittsburgh, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pittsburgh is $1,593/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,152/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,477/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,232/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,883/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($65,742/yr), Pittsburgh ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pittsburgh an affordable city for renters?

Pittsburgh is considered affordable for renters. At $1,593/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($65,742/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pittsburgh falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pittsburgh?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,593/mo in Pittsburgh. The local median household income is $65,742/yr, meaning the typical Pittsburgh household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pittsburgh?

Rent in Pittsburgh has increased 7.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Pittsburgh neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Pittsburgh are 15236 ($1,146/mo), 15202 ($1,167/mo), and 15209 ($1,188/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Pittsburgh is $1,593/mo.

How does Pittsburgh rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Pittsburgh is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #87 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,593/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pittsburgh?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pittsburgh ($1,593/mo): Etna ($1,063/mo), Millvale ($1,135/mo), Homestead ($1,285/mo).

What percentage of Pittsburgh residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.3% of Pittsburgh households are renters, while 47.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Pittsburgh has a strong rental market.

How does Pittsburgh rent compare to the national average?

Pittsburgh's median rent of $1,593/mo is $372 (19%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #87 out of 167 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,593/mo, rent takes ~29% of Pittsburgh's median household income ($65,742/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pittsburgh 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.07%

Run the Pittsburgh affordability calculator →

Nearby cities