City comparison
Yes. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 158 in Pittsburgh, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 147, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The income gap between Boston and Pittsburgh is significant: $97,344 median household versus $65,742. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,147 in Boston and $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Pittsburgh costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Pittsburgh at $1,261 average has pockets that run $1,061 and others at $1,661: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Boston and Pittsburgh are 481 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $886 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $31,602 (32%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 158 in Pittsburgh, up 11 points (7%).
The move
Pittsburgh and Boston are 481 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $886 a month (70%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $97,344 in Boston, up $31,602 (48%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 147 in Boston, down 11 points (7%).
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Pittsburgh, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Boston and Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
41% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 41% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $2,147 in Boston, so Pittsburgh is 41% cheaper. That's roughly $886/month back in your pocket ($10,632/year). Over five years that's $53,160 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Pittsburgh is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
48% higher
Boston's median income is 48% higher than Pittsburgh
Boston
Winner$97,344
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 48% higher in Boston (about $31,602 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Boston is the stronger labor market on paper. Pittsburgh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
7% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 7% lower than Pittsburgh
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh
158 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 158 in Pittsburgh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% lower in Boston. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Boston, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Pittsburgh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
5% more comfortable
Pittsburgh weather is 5% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Pittsburgh
Winner51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Pittsburgh averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Pittsburgh scores 5% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 48% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 7% lower than Pittsburgh (147 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pittsburgh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 41% cheaper here at about $1,261 a month. Choose Pittsburgh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Pittsburgh if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (51°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 5%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Pittsburgh is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Boston runs $2,147/month while Pittsburgh sits at $1,261 — roughly 41% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Boston-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Pittsburgh rent at $1,261/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Boston and 46/100 in Pittsburgh.
Between Boston and Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is ahead on housing cost — $1,261/month rent against $2,147. Lean Boston instead when your $97,344 income offer in Boston outweighs saving $886/month in Pittsburgh.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Pittsburgh, plus other cities in MA and PA.
