Washington - DC vs Pittsburgh - PA: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Washington - DC is roughly 150% more expensive than Pittsburgh - PA in typical home value.

Washington vs Pittsburgh: what the numbers say

At today's 7.32% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $3,132 a month in principal and interest in Washington and $1,254 in Pittsburgh, a gap of $1,878 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,407 in Washington and $1,467 in Pittsburgh, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.3 times rent in Washington and 0.9 times rent in Pittsburgh, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 19.7 years of rent in Washington and 13.0 in Pittsburgh; the lower ratio in Pittsburgh means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved +0.7% in Washington and +2.2% in Pittsburgh; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Washington and +0.3% in Pittsburgh.

Homes sell for 99.7% of list price in Washington and 98.3% in Pittsburgh, after 19 and 15 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 30% of listings. The signs are mixed: Washington has longer time on the market, while Pittsburgh has more price cuts and sales further below list.

The number of homes for sale is up 12% on a year ago in Washington and up 13% on a year ago in Pittsburgh.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-22), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.