Pittsburgh: Affordable with Job Opportunities, Realtor.com® Says

Pittsburgh continues to be applauded for its affordability in housing.

A recent realtor.com® report named Pittsburgh the eighth most under-the-radar market where buyers can score a deal on housing and also find gainful employment. The site analyzed areas with longer-than-average days on the market, median home prices below the national median of $310,000, unemployment numbers below the national rate of 3.6% and a high variety of restaurants and bars.

With a median home list price of $189,750, Pittsburgh fit the bill. The average home lasts 62 days on the market.

However, there can be a competitive market for homes, said Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh President-elect Jim Jarrett. “In my experience, there are buyers who have wasted opportunities on properties, and they’ve learned to go in strong and go in high so they end up getting the house.”

Additionally, the recent transfer realty tax increase to 5% may have an impact on both buyers and sellers this year, Jarrett said.

But with nearly 2,000 restaurants, and a population of 300,000, Pittsburgh offers many big city amenities, but is significantly more affordable.

“We have sports with the Penguins, Steelers and the Pirates, and we have culture. We have a lot to do,” said Jarrett. “The only thing we don’t have is beaches, but they aren’t too far of a drive.”

“Born and raised here, I love this city,” Jarrett added. “There is just so much to do, visit a museum or the zoo and plenty of entertainment, and it’s reasonably priced.”

Pittsburgh also offers educational opportunities and job options for those seeking either, or both. “It’s a great place for a lot of opportunities,” Jarrett added.