Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$1,630
Pittsburgh PITI
$1,836
Philadelphia PITI
$206/mo
Difference
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? Monthly payment PITI with taxes & insurance included
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? Bi-weekly payment PITI if paid every other week
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Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in Pittsburgh is $206/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| Pittsburgh, PA | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $230,000 | $275,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $46,000 | $55,000 |
| Loan Amount | $184,000 | $220,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.85% | 1.4% |
| Annual Property Tax | $4,255 | $3,850 |
| Annual Insurance | $1,350 | $1,500 |
| Monthly P&I | $1,163 | $1,391 |
| Monthly PITI | $1,630 | $1,836 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $234,682 | $280,598 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — Philadelphia’s average home costs $45,000 more than Pittsburgh’s.
Property taxes also favor Philadelphia — Pittsburgh’s 1.85% rate is higher than Philadelphia’s 1.4%.
Insurance is $150/year more in Philadelphia.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| Pittsburgh | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $1,630 | $1,836 |
| Income needed | $69,861 | $78,702 |
Try Your Own Numbers
The calculator above is pre-filled with Pittsburgh’s averages. Adjust the values to match your situation, or try the Philadelphia calculator for Philadelphia-specific numbers.