Pittsburgh vs St. Louis

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Pittsburgh feels like approximately $66,172 in St. Louis.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Pittsburgh feels like $66,172 in St. Louis. Moving would decrease your purchasing power by 5%.

Income
Housing

Pittsburgh

St. Louis

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
low
 
low
1BR Rent
$1,077/mo
 
$995/mo
State Tax
PA tax applies
 
MO tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,624
 
$4,523
Remote Work Fit
Pittsburgh is strongly positioned for remote workers earning coastal-range salaries. Housing costs are low enough that even moderate remote salaries can produce strong savings capacity here.
 
St. Louis represents one of the strongest value propositions among major metros — the lowest housing costs of the 35 metros, free museum access in Forest Park, and a revitalizing arts and restaurant scene.
Walk Score
62
 
66
Spacious
$60-80k · Pittsburgh vs St. Louis
Income Reality Check

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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,624/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Pittsburgh, your picture shifts from spacious toward spacious.

No city is objectively better. Pittsburgh and St. Louis each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

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Pittsburgh vs PhiladelphiaPittsburgh vs BaltimorePittsburgh vs Detroit
Pittsburgh profile St. Louis profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Pittsburgh vs St. Louis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or St. Louis?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $1,077/mo in Pittsburgh and $995/mo in St. Louis. St. Louis has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in St. Louis to match Pittsburgh?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Pittsburgh feels like approximately $66,172 in St. Louis — a reduction of about 5% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Pittsburgh and St. Louis?

Pittsburgh is in PA (PA levies income tax) and St. Louis is in MO (MO levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.