UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
Pittsburgh, PA is the #9 Best City to Live in the USA
| Pittsburgh, PA Quality of Life Liv Score 658 How We Calculate Our Data |
|---|
| Civics | 41 |
| Demographics | 58 |
| Economy | 60 |
| Education | 66 |
| Health | 73 |
| Housing | 60 |
| Infrastructure | 52 |
| Amenities | 75 |
Why Pittsburgh is one of the best cities to live in
With 90 unique neighborhoods, there’s something for everyone in Pittsburgh, PA. This mid-size city is among the best places to live in the U.S., thanks to its affordability, growing tech and robotics industry, and diverse landscapes that include rivers and valleys. Lots of green space, plus major league sports teams to cheer on and world-class universities, all contribute to the hometown pride that’s palpable in Pittsburgh.
It’s easy to get around this thriving city. Newcomers note that many bridges connect different parts of the city, including 30 main ones and more than 400 total throughout the city. While Pittsburgh has long been known as “The Steel City,” in recent years, it’s seen an influx of young people and tech companies. With local universities driving innovation and nurturing talent, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, it might be time to update Pittsburgh’s nickname to “The STEM City.” Oh, and if you’re new here, french fries layered onto sandwiches and burgers is a thing!
Once a steel city, Pittsburgh has reinvented itself as a thriving innovation hub. Leading industries include advanced manufacturing, health care, energy, business and financial services, and information tech. Major employers include Alcoa Inc., Kraft Heinz Co. and Highmark Health.
University of Pittsburgh & Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh experiences all four seasons, including hot summers and cold winters, with about 28 inches of snowfall every year.
Go for a bike ride along a section of The Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile connection that runs from Pennsylvania to Maryland.
Pittsburgh, PA is Remote-Ready
Pittsburgh’s workforce and talent pool are ever-expanding. The city, which experienced quite a bit of growth during the pandemic, is home to 68 colleges and universities in the metro area, which contribute fresh talent to the city and have helped transform Pittsburgh into a technology and science hub. Plus, when remote workers land here, they can choose from a variety of coworking spaces, like Alloy 26, Work Hard and Expansive.
What Locals Love in Pittsburgh, PA
White Whale Bookstore has a calendar packed with author readings, poetry nights, book clubs, children’s story hours and writing workshops.
Go museum hopping. The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh includes four distinctive museums: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museum of Natural History and The Andy Warhol Museum. (BTW, did you know Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh?)
Immerse yourself in the arts at The Frick Pittsburgh, where you’ll find early Renaissance Italian paintings and rare French and Flemish tapestries.
Grab an IPA at Church Beer Works, which is located in a restored Roman Catholic Church.
The Big Mac was dreamed up near Pittsburgh by McDonald’s franchise owner Jim Delligatti in 1967. Also, Heinz Ketchup was invented in Pittsburgh by H.J. Heinz.
Affordability, growing industry and lots of green space make Pittsburgh a best place to live in Pennsylvania.
Thinking of Moving to Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh, PA real estate is one of the most affordable markets in the country for a city of its size. With a median listing price of $238,141, homes for sale in Pittsburgh are very accessible both to young professionals and families. For young folks just moving to the city, local real estate agents point them to Squirrel Hill, a trendy east Pittsburgh neighborhood with plenty of parks and local restaurants to explore.
Quick Facts About Pittsburgh, PA
- Average Commute
- 20.66
- Median Home Value
- $185,800
- Med. Household Income
- $54,614
- Total Population
- 299,250
- Median Property Tax
- $3,022
