{"id":34347,"date":"2025-11-14T17:55:40","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T17:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/34347\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T17:55:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T17:55:40","slug":"pittsburgh-is-the-lowest-priced-large-u-s-housing-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/34347\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Is the Lowest-Priced Large U.S. Housing Market"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Pittsburgh_PA\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pittsburgh<\/a> has been getting some buzz lately, especially after \u201cThe Pitt,&#8221; the medical drama set in the city, snagged the Emmy for Best Drama Series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Now, Steel City is back in the news\u2014this time for its standout housing affordability, which is attracting a wave of new homebuyers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;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,&#8221; says <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/realtor.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Realtor.com\u00ae<\/a> senior economic research analyst\u00a0Hannah Jones. <\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">The median list price five years ago was $234,900, roughly 6% lower than it is now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Over the summer, Realtor.com <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/research\/june-2025-rent\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">named Pittsburgh<\/a> the sole major metro where becoming a first-time homeowner was more economical than paying monthly rent. And, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/research\/may-2025-affordability-benchmark\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">research shows<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;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,&#8221; says Jones. <\/p>\n<p>This three-bedroom, two-bathroom <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-detail\/4208-Mount-Troy-Rd_Pittsburgh_PA_15214_M42497-89081\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh home<\/a> is listed for $250,000.Realtor.comThe housing market<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">In July, Pittsburgh stood out as the only major metro where a median-income household <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/research\/buying-power-report-aug-2025\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">could afford more than half of the homes for sale<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;This underscores that, more than anywhere else, the typical Pittsburgh buyer still has real options in today\u2019s housing market,&#8221; says Jones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Currently, there are 5,842 houses on the market there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;Buyers have a lot of choices in every price point, so they can always find something,&#8221; says Pittsburgh real estate agent Jackie Bohdan, of <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yourtownpittsburgh.com\/agents\/jackie-bohdan\">Your Town Realty<\/a>. &#8220;The affordability of the city brings a lot of people here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">The city is indeed growing, gaining 4,708 residents from 2020 to 2024, according to the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pasdc.hbg.psu.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/resources\/May_2025.pdf\">U.S. Census Bureau<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;Most of my clients are transplants rather than locals,&#8221; she says. &#8220;A lot of people move here for work in fields like IT, health care, and robotics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Pittsburgh\u2019s <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcrg.org\/pulse\/homeownership-month-highlights-push-for-affordability-equity-and-federal-reformnbsp\">current homeownership rate<\/a> stands at approximately 69.5%\u2014above the national average of 66%, according to the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;Lower prices make it easier for buyers to enter the market here,&#8221; says Bohdan. &#8220;The majority of my clients are first-time buyers in their 30s\u2014but my youngest client was just 21.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">The city offers many incentives for first-time homebuyers, including <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ura.org\/pages\/OwnPGH\">grants toward home purchases<\/a>\u00a0for those who qualify.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;I wish more people were aware of the incentives and took advantage of them,&#8221; says Bohdan. &#8220;Some of my clients have saved themselves thousands of dollars.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Built in 1950, this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home is on the market for $150,000.Realtor.comThe perks of Pittsburgh<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Pittsburgh is appealing to a younger generation looking for affordability without sacrificing quality of life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">A thriving student population keeps the city vibrant, with educational institutions like Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh calling it home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;When I meet people who&#8217;ve just moved to the city, one thing that they talk about is how much there is to do here,&#8221; says Don Orkoskey, the owner of <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/wdophoto.com\/gallery\/pittsburgh-area-family-portraits\/\">WDO Photography Pittsburgh<\/a>. &#8220;Because of the universities and the city&#8217;s efforts to retain graduates, there is a lot for young people to do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Pittsburgh has a robust arts scene, featuring the world-renowned Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum. <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/trustarts.org\/pct_home\/visit\/facilities\/arts-landing\">Arts Landing<\/a>, a 4-acre downtown city park featuring public art, is slated to open in April 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">That&#8217;s just one of the many things that landed Pittsburgh on National Geographic&#8217;s\u00a0<a rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/travel\/article\/best-of-the-world-2026\">&#8220;Best of the World&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0list for 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">Pittsburgh is also home to three major professional sports teams: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Pittsburgh Penguins\u2014and the city has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;The sports teams in Pittsburgh make living here more fun,&#8221; says Orkoskey. &#8220;When my sister moved here, being a massive fan of Pittsburgh&#8217;s sports teams was a big bonus for her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 IEPPf sc-7dicpk-0 ccZqsH core-paragraph\">&#8220;Pittsburgh is attracting more and more young people looking for good jobs, affordable housing, and opportunities to do what they enjoy,&#8221; says Orkoskey. &#8220;Pittsburgh really has all of those things and more.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This Cape Cod charmer in <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-detail\/105-5th-St_Pittsburgh_PA_15229_M30706-12117\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh<\/a> has two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. It&#8217;s listed for $250,000.Realtor.com<a target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"text-widget\" class=\"sc-s4khec-0 jknOCu\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/myaccount\/signin?config=NEWS_AND_INSIGHTS_SIGNUP&amp;redirect_url_override=\/myaccount\/profile\/settings\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"base__StyledType-rui__sc-18muj27-0 fwnnfo\">Get real estate news in your inbox<\/p>\n<p>Sign up now<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh has been getting some buzz lately, especially after \u201cThe Pitt,&#8221; the medical drama set in the city,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":34348,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[21193,21419,28,73,16712,75,74,21420,420],"class_list":{"0":"post-34347","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-pittsburgh","8":"tag-affordability","9":"tag-data-journalism","10":"tag-pennsylvania","11":"tag-pittsburgh","12":"tag-pittsburgh-pa","13":"tag-pittsburgh-headlines","14":"tag-pittsburgh-news","15":"tag-push-notification","16":"tag-video"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34347\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}