Comparison · Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh · United States
Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 颐园居, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Philadelphia for Independence Hall and Liberty Bell; choose Pittsburgh for Three rivers, Inclines and lower day-to-day costs. Pittsburgh is generally less expensive, and the two are about 414 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 414 km
- Less expensive
- Pittsburgh
- Best time for Philadelphia
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Pittsburgh
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Independence Hall, Liberty Bell and Cheesesteaks | Three rivers, Inclines and Bridges |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$380 | $190–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 31°C (88°F) | July, 29°C (84°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 5°C (41°F) | January, 2°C (36°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | PHL | PIT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Philadelphia for…
Independence Hall and Liberty Bell. Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and signed, and Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Elfreth's Alley still sit within a few blocks of each other in Old City. Center City is a flat, compact grid…
Choose Pittsburgh for…
Three rivers, Inclines and lower day-to-day costs. Pittsburgh sits where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio, in a landscape of steep hills, hundreds of bridges and neighbourhoods divided by ravines. The fortunes of Carnegie, Frick, Mellon and Heinz paid for an outsized cultural legacy…
Top sights compared
| # | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence Hall | Duquesne Incline |
| 2 | Liberty Bell Center | Grandview Avenue overlooks |
| 3 | Museum of the American Revolution | Andy Warhol Museum |
| 4 | Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps | Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art |
| 5 | Reading Terminal Market | Cathedral of Learning |
Food compared
| Philadelphia | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|
| Cheesesteak | Primanti Bros. sandwich |
| Roast pork sandwich | Pierogies |
| Hoagie | Pittsburgh salad |
| Soft pretzel | Chipped chopped ham |
Which is cheaper?
Pittsburgh is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $190–$300 per person there, against $220–$380 in Philadelphia (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pittsburgh on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are about 414 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Philadelphia and 3 in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Philadelphia or Pittsburgh cheaper?
Pittsburgh is usually less expensive: about $190–$300 a day mid-range against $220–$380 (estimates).
+Is Philadelphia or Pittsburgh better for a first trip?
Pick Philadelphia for Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, or Pittsburgh for Three rivers, Inclines and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Philadelphia from Pittsburgh?
About 414 km in a straight line.