Home project costs in Pittsburgh, PA
Every project we cover, priced for the Pittsburgh metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Pittsburgh area is 94.7 against 100 for the US, which puts Pittsburgh 156th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 100.7. BLS counts roughly 1,114,490 jobs here.
In Pittsburgh, 31 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 6 below, and 1 is level with it. The biggest premiums are laminate flooring (+16%), shower pan (+7%) and kitchen backsplash (+7%); the biggest discounts are metal roof (−2%), roof replacement (−2%) and patio door (−1%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Pittsburgh Allegheny Co Ap, 7 miles away) shows a January average low of 22°F, a July average high of 83°F and 41 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are April through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Pittsburgh
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $21.96 | $24.33 | $29.94 | $22.66 | 1.07 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.40 | $29.41 | $38.14 | $29.12 | 1.01 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $24.42 | $29.96 | $38.65 | $28.78 | 1.04 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $28.74 | $33.70 | $40.80 | $30.67 | 1.10 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $28.32 | $30.44 | $30.95 | $27.41 | 1.11 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $27.39 | $33.34 | $47.62 | $30.38 | 1.10 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $24.64 | $31.61 | $38.35 | $26.77 | 1.18 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.82 | $25.17 | $29.62 | $26.65 | 0.94 |
Concrete & paving in Pittsburgh
The 7 jobs here average +4% versus the US in Pittsburgh, from +1% (asphalt driveway) to +6% (paver patio).
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Pittsburgh | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,350 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Pittsburgh | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,750 | +6% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Pittsburgh | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,450 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Pittsburgh | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,500 | +3% |
| Paver patio cost in Pittsburgh | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +6% |
| Concrete patio cost in Pittsburgh | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | +4% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Pittsburgh | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,350 | +5% |
Decks & outdoor in Pittsburgh
The 2 jobs here average +1% versus the US in Pittsburgh, from +1% (wood deck) to +2% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Pittsburgh | 300 sq ft | $7,650 – $15,300 | +1% |
| Composite deck cost in Pittsburgh | 300 sq ft | $12,200 – $24,500 | +2% |
Building & additions in Pittsburgh
Across these 2 projects, Pittsburgh averages +2% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +2% and detached garage lowest at +2%.
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Pittsburgh | 576 sq ft | $29,600 – $59,400 | +2% |
| Home addition cost in Pittsburgh | 300 sq ft | $38,900 – $78,700 | +2% |
Doors & windows in Pittsburgh
The 5 jobs here average level versus the US in Pittsburgh, from −1% (patio door) to +1% (garage door).
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Pittsburgh | 1 door | $710 – $3,750 | +1% |
| Storm door cost in Pittsburgh | 1 door | $350 – $960 | +1% |
| Front door cost in Pittsburgh | 1 door | $500 – $2,500 | +1% |
| Window replacement cost in Pittsburgh | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,900 | −1% |
| Patio door cost in Pittsburgh | 1 door | $600 – $5,950 | −1% |
Fencing in Pittsburgh
The 4 jobs here average +2% versus the US in Pittsburgh, from +1% (aluminum fence) to +3% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Pittsburgh | 150 linear ft | $3,100 – $7,800 | +2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Pittsburgh | 150 linear ft | $4,600 – $9,300 | +1% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Pittsburgh | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,350 | +3% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Pittsburgh | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,500 | +1% |
Roofing & exterior in Pittsburgh
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Pittsburgh, from −2% (metal roof) to +1% (vinyl siding).
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Pittsburgh | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,950 – $12,300 | −2% |
| Metal roof cost in Pittsburgh | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,800 – $31,900 | −2% |
| Gutters cost in Pittsburgh | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | −1% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Pittsburgh | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,500 – $25,600 | +1% |
| Attic insulation cost in Pittsburgh | 1,000 sq ft | $990 – $4,000 | level |
Kitchen & bath in Pittsburgh
Across these 5 projects, Pittsburgh averages +4% against national midpoints. Shower pan is highest at +7% and kitchen cabinets lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Pittsburgh | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,200 | +1% |
| Shower pan cost in Pittsburgh | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Pittsburgh | 120 sq ft | $18,800 – $31,900 | +1% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Pittsburgh | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,400 | +5% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Pittsburgh | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +7% |
Landscaping & drainage in Pittsburgh
Across these 5 projects, Pittsburgh averages +3% against national midpoints. Retaining wall is highest at +7% and sod installation lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Pittsburgh | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +1% |
| Retaining wall cost in Pittsburgh | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,700 – $14,300 | +7% |
| Sod installation cost in Pittsburgh | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Pittsburgh | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,150 – $10,400 | +4% |
| Inground pool cost in Pittsburgh | 450 sq ft | $38,100 – $119,000 | +5% |
Flooring & interior in Pittsburgh
The 3 jobs here average +10% versus the US in Pittsburgh, from +6% (hardwood flooring) to +16% (laminate flooring).
| Project | Size | Pittsburgh range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Pittsburgh | 500 sq ft | $5,850 – $13,200 | +6% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Pittsburgh | 500 sq ft | $2,400 – $8,100 | +16% |
| Tile flooring cost in Pittsburgh | 200 sq ft | $2,750 – $10,500 | +7% |
Pittsburgh against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Pittsburgh prices +3% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, none price higher and 6 lower. Morgantown is the lowest at −8% (65 miles) and Akron the highest at roughly level (90 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PAthis page | 94.7 | 100.7 | +3% | |
| Wheeling, WV | 60 miles | 88.3 | 96.4 | −5% |
| Morgantown, WV | 65 miles | 93.3 | 96.3 | −8% |
| Youngstown, OH | 70 miles | 87.4 | 93.6 | −5% |
| Canton, OH | 75 miles | 89.4 | 93.6 | −2% |
| Altoona, PA | 80 miles | 89.5 | 100.7 | −1% |
| Akron, OH | 90 miles | 93.4 | 93.6 | level |