Comparison · Pittsburgh vs Washington, D.C. · United States
Pittsburgh vs Washington, D.C.
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Pittsburgh for Three rivers, Inclines and lower day-to-day costs; choose Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights. Pittsburgh is generally less expensive, and the two are about 305 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 305 km
- Less expensive
- Pittsburgh
- Best time for Pittsburgh
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Washington, D.C.
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Pittsburgh | Washington, D.C. | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Three rivers, Inclines and Bridges | National Mall, Smithsonian museums and Lincoln Memorial |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $190–$300 | $250–$400 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 2°C (36°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 18 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | PIT | DCA, IAD, BWI |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Washington, D.C. for…
National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights. Washington, D.C. lines up its monuments and the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, a grassy axis of about 3 km between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Almost all of the big museums are free, which makes the capital unusually good value for a…
Top sights compared
| # | Pittsburgh | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duquesne Incline | National Mall |
| 2 | Grandview Avenue overlooks | Lincoln Memorial |
| 3 | Andy Warhol Museum | Washington Monument |
| 4 | Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art | United States Capitol |
| 5 | Cathedral of Learning | Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) |
Food compared
| Pittsburgh | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Primanti Bros. sandwich | Half-smoke |
| Pierogies | Mumbo sauce |
| Pittsburgh salad | Ethiopian injera and wot |
| Chipped chopped ham | Steamed blue crabs |
Which is cheaper?
Pittsburgh is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $190–$300 per person there, against $250–$400 in Washington, D.C. (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Pittsburgh on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. are about 305 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Pittsburgh and 4 in Washington, D.C..
Questions travellers ask
+Is Pittsburgh or Washington, D.C. cheaper?
Pittsburgh is usually less expensive: about $190–$300 a day mid-range against $250–$400 (estimates).
+Is Pittsburgh or Washington, D.C. better for a first trip?
Pick Pittsburgh for Three rivers, Inclines and lower day-to-day costs, or Washington, D.C. for National Mall, Smithsonian museums and free sights.
+How far is Pittsburgh from Washington, D.C.?
About 305 km in a straight line.