About Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Information | Cost of Living | Getting Around | City Newspapers
Pittsburgh Information
What is there to do in Pittsburgh? Plenty! With world-class museums, more trees per square mile than almost any other city in the nation and food options from every cuisine imaginable, it’s a manageable international city with a small town feel. Whether you’re a sports fanatic, enjoy the outdoors or want to take in some culture, Pittsburgh has something for everyone. With downtown only five miles from campus, you’ll soon learn first-hand why Pittsburgh is rated one of the most livable cities in the country.
Visit Carnegie Mellon's Explore Pittsburgh Web site  for more information about the Pittsburgh area.
Things to do in Pittsburgh 
Cost of Living
- 30% below national average
- According to the Tepper School of Business, Pittsburgh compares favorably to other similar cities (figures are for a four-person family):
| |
Pgh. |
Boston |
Chicago |
NY |
Phila. |
San Fran. |
| Income Tax |
$2,100 |
$3,824 |
$2,130 |
$4,088 |
$2,100 |
$2,564 |
| Sales Tax |
$883 |
$735 |
$1,300 |
$1,250 |
$883 |
$1,250 |
| Housing: Price |
$102,700 |
$239,000 |
$183,800 |
$278,000 |
$151,500 |
$359,100 |
| Housing: Utilities |
$3,900 |
$4,020 |
$3,900 |
$4,050 |
$3,720 |
$3,250 |
| Property Tax |
$2,140 |
$4,750 |
$2,600 |
$5,560 |
$3,450 |
$2,770 |
| Rent |
$510 |
$920 |
$750 |
$900 |
$730 |
$1,180 |
| Food |
$8,217 |
$9,086 |
$8,059 |
$10,982 |
$8,691 |
$8,849 |
| Health Care |
$3,394 |
$3,358 |
$3,199 |
$4,002 |
$3,535 |
$2,914 |
| Transportation |
$12,705 |
$13,176 |
$12,117 |
$14,234 |
$13,058 |
$13,529 |
| Recreation |
$3,573 |
$4,032 |
$4,319 |
$4,575 |
$4,056 |
$4,658 |
Getting Around
The City Bus
Known to Pittsburghers as PAT Bus, the bus service in Pittsburgh is fairly extensive, and there are a number of specialty lines that service Pittsburgh cultural and entertainment centers. One of these is the 59U, which shuttles riders to the new Waterfront and South Side Works shopping complexes. Both complexes offer movie theaters and many stores to shop for clothes, apartment furnishings, and other necessities. Your Carnegie Mellon student ID will double as your bus pass, complete with free bus travel throughout Allegheny County (including the Pittsburgh International Airport) and easy access to all the city has to offer.
PAT Web site 
Phone: (412) 442-2000
Monday-Friday: 7:00 am-7:00 pm
Weekends & Holidays: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
Taxi Service
In general, you must call a taxi company to have a car come pick you up. The operator will then request a street address. In the downtown area taxis can be found parked outside the entrance of the Westin William Penn Hotel - a historic hotel located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.
Yellow Cab: (412) 321-1800
Checker Cab: (412) 381-5600
City Newspapers
Pittsburgh Business Times
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tribune-Review
City Paper
Pop City
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