Cost of Living in Wilkinsburg, PA
Population 14,165 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Wilkinsburg a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $140,000. A poverty rate near 20% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Wilkinsburg sits roughly 5 miles east of Pittsburgh — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Wilkinsburg
The median home value in Wilkinsburg is $140,300 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $978/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,565/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Pennsylvania's top state income tax rate is 3.1% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. The climate averages highs of 61.2°F and lows of 43.5°F. Overall, Wilkinsburg has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 37 | 40 | 49 | 63 | 72 | 79 | 83 | 81 | 75 | 63 | 51 | 41 |
| Low °F | 22 | 24 | 31 | 42 | 52 | 60 | 64 | 63 | 56 | 45 | 35 | 28 |
| Precip" | 3.08 | 2.57 | 3.22 | 3.40 | 4.08 | 4.58 | 3.93 | 3.81 | 3.54 | 3.06 | 3.03 | 3.04 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Wilkinsburg, PA?
Wilkinsburg has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.
What is average rent in Wilkinsburg, PA?
The median gross rent in Wilkinsburg is $978 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Wilkinsburg?
The median home value in Wilkinsburg is $140,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Wilkinsburg?
The median household income in Wilkinsburg is $48,565 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Wilkinsburg, PA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Wilkinsburg is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.
Is Wilkinsburg, PA affordable?
Yes, Wilkinsburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 57 — about 43% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Wilkinsburg?
Wilkinsburg has average high temperatures of 61.2°F and average lows of 43.5°F. Annual precipitation is 41.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Wilkinsburg at a Glance
- Population
- 14,165
- Median Income
- $48,565
- Home Value
- $140,300
- Median Rent
- $978/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 61.2°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
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Pennsylvania Rankings
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