Why Pittsburgh

Skip the high-pressure grind of coastal tech centers and discover a city where world-class innovation meets one of the lowest costs of living among major tech cities.

Where Intelligence Meets Runway

Pittsburgh Talent & Office Cost Calculator

Discover Pittsburgh's Cost Advantage

Calculate savings when relocating to Pittsburgh This calculator covers talent and office costs (75-80% of total startup operating costs). These are estimates.

Data Sources: Salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indeed, Glassdoor, Built In, and Levels.fyi. Office costs from CBRE, CommercialCafe, and Colliers Q1 2025 reports. Benefits multipliers based on BLS Employer Cost data.

Methodology: Represents 2025 market averages for software developers across experience levels. Office rates reflect Class A space. Benefits include healthcare, retirement, payroll taxes, and standard employer costs.

Disclaimer: Estimates may vary by company size, location, qualifications, and market conditions. Additional costs (marketing, software, services) not included. Consult professionals before business decisions.

Calculation Breakdown

Complete the calculator to see detailed breakdown

Real World Readiness

Where AI Leaves the Lab

In Pittsburgh, AI gets out of the research paper and into the field. It’s why Nvidia named Pittsburgh their first ‘AI Tech Community.’

VC investment in Pittsburgh’s software startups has already doubled 2024’s total by May, with AI-related companies capturing 83% of the region’s $8.3 billion in VC deals—one of the highest concentrations in the nation, according to PitchBook

  • Outline of a human head with a heart and medical cross inside, symbolizing mental health or healthcare.

    Healthcare AI

    Pittsburgh startups are using AI to transform diagnostics, imaging, and personalized care across hospital systems.

  • Icon of a compact car with rounded edges.

    Autonomous Mobility

    Local companies are deploying AI-driven technologies in self-driving vehicles, drones, and next-gen transport.

  • Icon of a robotic arm or industrial automation arm.

    Industrial + Infrastructure AI

    AI is powering robotics, inspection, and automation tools that make Pittsburgh’s infrastructure smarter and stronger.

  • Battery icon with a flame symbol inside

    Energy + Sustainability

    From smart grids to predictive analytics, AI is helping Pittsburgh scale cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.

Fullstack Advantage

  • Energy

    Appalachian natural gas basin — #2 in the U.S. for production

    Westinghouse Electric Company — global nuclear energy leader headquartered in the region

    Low-cost, reliable energy infrastructure for data centers and industrial AI applications

  • Infrastructure

    Riverfront redevelopment zones with fiber connectivity and cooling capacity

    Port of Pittsburgh — third-busiest inland port in the U.S., ideal for physical testbeds

    Pittsburgh International Airport Corridor — shovel-ready land for logistics and advanced manufacturing

  • Talent

    Two world-class R1 research universities — producing top-tier graduates in AI, robotics, engineering, life sciences, and data science.

    1 in 10 U.S. roboticists lives in Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center — workforce training in HPC, data science, and biomedical AI

  • Data

    UPMC Health System — one of the largest integrated health systems in the U.S., rich in clinical data

    Block Center for Technology & Society (CMU) — applied AI in public systems and policy

    Manufacturing testbeds embedded in local industry partnerships

  • Quality of Life

    Housing affordability — median home price well below national average

    Access to nature — over 15,000 acres of public parkland and quick access to the Laurel Highlands

    Arts, sports, and culture — home to the Steelers, Penguins, symphony, and thriving local scenes

Why AI Founders Choose Pittsburgh:

  • "Pittsburgh offers a very unique opportunity to get access to the industrial challenges that tech companies elsewhere simply can't reach."

    Jake Loosararian
    Gecko, Co-Founder and CEO

  • "None of us could be building here if we just relied on our own discipline. We need the fact that Pittsburgh is one of the greatest engineering towns in history."

    Andrew Moore
    Lovelace AI, Co-Founder and CEO

  • "We see Pittsburgh talent as a key strategic element of the autonomy puzzle."

    Chris Urmson
    Aurora, Co-Founder and CEO

  • “Pittsburgh has what it takes to build great companies—top healthcare institutions and world-class places like Carnegie Mellon, all in one city.”

    Dr. Shiv Rao
    Abridge, Co-Founder and CEO