As proud Pittsburgh locals ourselves, the team at HomeBuyers of Pittsburgh can confidently say the Steel City is a great place to call home.
It's easy to think there's hometown bias here, but we can back it up – many reputable organizations and publications have recognized Pittsburgh as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
For example, Pittsburgh was recently ranked #26 on a list of "150 Best Places to Live in the US in 2022-2023" by US News and World Report, and also named "#1 best place to live in Pennsylvania."
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Why Is Pittsburgh One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S.?
Several factors make Pittsburgh a good place to live, including:
Pittsburgh Offers Affordable Housing
According to one source, Pittsburgh is the most affordable city in the world to buy a home. You should seriously consider living here if you're looking to save money on your housing costs.
Data from Realtor.com shows that in December 2022, the median listing price for a typical Pittsburgh property was $219,900 — almost 200K less than the national median listing price of $400,000.
Additionally, rent is far less expensive than in other major U.S. cities. Pittsburgh's median rent in January 2023 was $1,417, which is $681 less than the $2098 national median.
Although Pittsburgh has more affordable housing than most US cities, you should be aware that Steel City has had a booming real estate market, and home and rent costs are gradually increasing.
Pittsburgh Has a Strong Job Market
Pittsburgh's economy is flourishing, and its main industries like financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and education provide residents with thousands of job opportunities annually.
The city also continues to grow as a tech hub, with offices for big tech companies including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Uber, Zoom, and Amazon. This makes Pittsburgh – whose largest industry a few decades ago was steel – a desirable place to reside for professionals who want to work for some of the largest firms in the United States.
Great Schools Are Available in Pittsburgh
The quality of the local schools may be one of your main concerns if you're relocating to Pittsburgh with your children or starting a family here.
Organizations like Niche, whose ratings consider factors like student test scores, graduation rates, teacher quality, facilities, as well as student and parent reviews, rate many of Pittsburgh's public and private elementary and high schools above average.
Montour Elementary School, Holiday Park Intermediate School, Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh Capa 6-12, and Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy are a few of Pittsburgh's top-rated public schools.
Top-rated private schools include Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy, The Ellis School, Winchester Thurston School, and Central Catholic High School.
Pittsburgh is also home to several prestigious universities, including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, which provide residents with access to top-notch education and research opportunities.
Many graduates from these institutions opt to stay in Steel City, where they can easily find employment opportunities with the numerous businesses that call Pittsburgh home.
Pittsburgh Has a Friendly Community
The good vibes you get from Pittsburghers who are proud of their city and usually eager to make newcomers feel at home is, in my opinion, one of the main factors that makes Pittsburgh one of the best locations to live in the US.
Whether you're looking for a new job, trying to find a place to live, or simply looking for advice on what to see and do in the city, Pittsburgh residents are happy to help. Additionally, there are many community organizations and events that are regularly organized that aid in fostering a sense of community and bringing people together.
Other factors that make Pittsburgh a desirable city to reside in include:
It boasts stunning scenery. Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of three rivers (Allegheny River and Monongahela River, which meet to form the Ohio River) and is surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, offering beautiful and scenic landscapes for residents.
You have easy access to nature. Point State Park, Schenley Park, and Frick Park are just a few of Pittsburgh's parks and recreation areas, which provide opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The city's proximity to many lakes and rivers also makes it simple for locals to enjoy boating and fishing.
Accessibility. Pittsburgh is located within a day's drive of several major cities, including Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. The city also has a well-developed public transportation system, including bus and light rail services, making it easy for residents to travel around the city and to surrounding areas.
What Stops Pittsburgh from Being a Great Place to Live?
Aside from all the positives that make Pittsburgh a good place to live, some things make it less desirable, including:
When compared to other similar-sized cities, Pittsburgh has higher than average crime rates.
A Pittsburgh resident has a 1 in 33 probability of falling victim to a property crime and a 1 in 167 chance of being the victim of a violent crime. For all Pittsburgh residents, the high crime rate is a big issue.
Due to the city's history of heavy industry, Pittsburgh has some of the worst air quality in the U.S. Despite improvements in recent years, it received an "F" rating from the American Lung Association in 2021 for its air quality, which could be a problem for people with respiratory conditions.
Pittsburgh has shorter summers, colder winters that can dip below freezing, and significant annual snowfall. Therefore, Pittsburgh might not be the best city for you to reside in if you don't enjoy snow.
What Do Pittsburgh Residents Think About Their City?
If you're considering relocating to Pittsburgh, I'm sure you'd like to hear what actual residents say about the city.
Here are a few testimonials from people in Pittsburgh we found online:
"Pittsburgh often doesn't even feel like a city. It offers a tight community while still having that big-city feeling. It's a great college city, and there are many live music venues, museums, and parks to unwind."
"There are some places in Pittsburgh you should avoid. Also, the bridges are not well kept and the city has a lot of bridges. But once you get past those two, the city is really nice. There are plenty of parks, colleges, and career options. If you don't mind the cold that is."
"There are lots of instances of violence and problems with the police and the citizens. Due to it coming up as a steel factory city as well as the number of factories still running this causes the air quality to be not well. Pittsburgh has its very good qualities and communities, but there are also some problems that can be changed to build Pittsburgh into a better city."
"I love the city I live in! If you've ever visited Pittsburgh or even met someone from here, you can tell the amount of pride we carry to reside in this powerful city. It is one of the most affordable cities to live in, with vast job opportunities and many different commute options. It is a city that truly has everything you need. Not to mention the beauty and originality of the buildings and landscapes. I was born and raised in a suburb of Pittsburgh, and I have no desire to move elsewhere."
You can read more reviews from Pittsburgh residents both past and present here.
HomeBuyers of Pittsburgh: The #1 Professional Home Buyer
Do you want to learn more about what it's like to live in Pittsburgh before deciding whether or not to relocate here? We at Homebuyers of Pittsburgh would be happy to provide you with more information about the local real estate market, and may be able to assist you with a Pittsburgh home sale too. You can reach us at 412-444-8914 or info [@] urbanpgh.com
With more than ten years of experience in the Pittsburgh real estate market, we can also help you — as we've done for hundreds of other individuals buying or selling a home here. Please contact us today!