A Major Metro Is the Most Affordable City in America—and the Median Home Price Is Below $250K

Pittsburgh has been getting some buzz lately, especially after “The Pitt," the medical drama set in the city, snagged the Emmy for Best Drama Series.

Now, Steel City is back in the news—this time for its standout housing affordability, which is attracting a wave of new homebuyers.

"In October, Pittsburgh remained the lowest-priced large U.S. housing market, with a median listing price of $250,000, more than $150,000 below the national median," says Realtor.com® senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones.

The median list price five years ago was $234,900, roughly 6% lower than it is now.

Over the summer, Realtor.com named Pittsburgh the sole major metro where becoming a first-time homeowner was more economical than paying monthly rent. And, research shows that Pittsburgh was also one of just three large metros where a median-income household could afford a median-priced home, based on the 30% affordability rule of thumb.

"In a housing landscape where affordability has eroded nationwide, Pittsburgh remains a rare bright spot where buying a home is still within reach for most households," says Jones.

The housing market

In July, Pittsburgh stood out as the only major metro where a median-income household could afford more than half of the homes for sale.

"This underscores that, more than anywhere else, the typical Pittsburgh buyer still has real options in today’s housing market," says Jones.

Currently, there are 5,842 houses on the market there.

"Buyers have a lot of choices in every price point, so they can always find something," says Pittsburgh real estate agent Jackie Bohdan, of Your Town Realty. "The affordability of the city brings a lot of people here."

The city is indeed growing, gaining 4,708 residents from 2020 to 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Most of my clients are transplants rather than locals," she says. "A lot of people move here for work in fields like IT, health care, and robotics."

Pittsburgh’s current homeownership rate stands at approximately 69.5%—above the national average of 66%, according to the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.

"Lower prices make it easier for buyers to enter the market here," says Bohdan. "The majority of my clients are first-time buyers in their 30s—but my youngest client was just 21."

The city offers many incentives for first-time homebuyers, including grants toward home purchases for those who qualify.

"I wish more people were aware of the incentives and took advantage of them," says Bohdan. "Some of my clients have saved themselves thousands of dollars."

The perks of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is appealing to a younger generation looking for affordability without sacrificing quality of life.

A thriving student population keeps the city vibrant, with educational institutions like Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh calling it home.

"When I meet people who've just moved to the city, one thing that they talk about is how much there is to do here," says Don Orkoskey, the owner of WDO Photography Pittsburgh. "Because of the universities and the city's efforts to retain graduates, there is a lot for young people to do."

Pittsburgh has a robust arts scene, featuring the world-renowned Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum. Arts Landing, a 4-acre downtown city park featuring public art, is slated to open in April 2026. 

That's just one of the many things that landed Pittsburgh on National Geographic's "Best of the World" list for 2026.

Pittsburgh is also home to three major professional sports teams: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Pittsburgh Penguins—and the city has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft.

"The sports teams in Pittsburgh make living here more fun," says Orkoskey. "When my sister moved here, being a massive fan of Pittsburgh's sports teams was a big bonus for her."

When it comes to employment, the steel industry that once powered the city declined nearly a half-century ago. Major employers in the area now include universities, hospitals, and government offices. Big businesses like PNC, Kraft Heinz, and Bayer also have a large presence there.

"Pittsburgh is attracting more and more young people looking for good jobs, affordable housing, and opportunities to do what they enjoy," says Orkoskey. "Pittsburgh really has all of those things and more."