What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh?

Once the heart of America’s steel industry, Pittsburgh is a major hub for technology, healthcare and academics. The best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh include Brookline and Mount Washington for more affordable housing choices; Lawrenceville and the Strip District for the arts and restaurants; and Point Breeze and Shadyside for luxury living.

We’ll break down more of the best Pittsburgh neighborhoods to help you find your perfect place in the Steel City.

Check out the best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for:

• Affordability and value
• Lifestyle and community
• Luxury and high-end living
• Schools and higher education
• Quiet living

For affordability and value

The housing market in Pittsburgh is more approachable compared to other major cities, with a typical rent of about $1,467 a month and a median home list price of $269,500 as of October 2025. That’s comfortably lower than the national typical rent ($1,949) and national median list price ($405,967) — and also somewhat lower than Philadelphia, which has a median list price of $272,000.

Even at that appealing price point, some neighborhoods in Pittsburgh present more value than others. Here are some places to consider.

Bloomfield

Known as Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, Bloomfield is a walkable neighborhood with plenty of charm — think colorful rowhouses, brick sidewalks and family-run businesses that have been around for generations. With a median list price of $359,483 as of October 2025, Bloomfield is one of the city’s best values closest to downtown. Bloomfield is centrally located, with easy access to neighborhoods like Lawrenceville and Shadyside by bus.

The dining scene in Bloomfield is as authentic as it gets in Pittsburgh. You’ll find family-style pasta spots that locals swear by, while other eateries bring a fresh Mediterranean touch to the neighborhood. And if you’re craving something laid-back, there’s no shortage of cozy hangouts serving elevated comfort food and handcrafted drinks. You’re also a short walk from Penn Avenue, where you’ll find bakeries, boutique shops and community festivals year-round.

Brookline

Brookline is in Pittsburgh’s South Hills area. The neighborhood has a median list price of $217,933 as of October 2025, representing some of the most affordable housing in the city. The neighborhood features classic single-family homes on tree-lined streets, along with townhouses, condos, and a noticeable number of duplexes and triplexes that make the area attractive for both first-time buyers and small-scale investors. Many homes lean toward older architectural styles — think brick façades, original hardwood floors, and covered front porches — but there are also renovated interiors, updated floor plans, and pockets of newer construction. 

On Brookline Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares here, you’ll find restaurants and food trucks serving all types of global cuisines. For an outdoor break between meals, Brookline Memorial Park offers a large green space with athletic fields, a playground, a rec center and community events throughout the year.

Mount Washington

Another more affordable Pittsburgh option, Mount Washington has a median list price of $283,817 as of October 2025. The neighborhood’s location just south of Downtown offers some unbeatable city views, especially from the panoramic overlooks along Grandview Avenue. The homes here include older brick houses, renovated rowhouses and smaller detached single-family properties.

Beyond affordability, the neighborhood is about as close as you can get to the action — the historic Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines connect this hilltop community to downtown in minutes. 

For lifestyle and community

If you’re looking for a neighborhood where life happens beyond your front door, Pittsburgh has plenty to offer, including Lawrenceville and the Strip District. These vibrant communities are brimming with entertainment options, good eats, arts and cultural institutions and more.

Lawrenceville

Once an industrial hub, Lawrenceville has reinvented itself as Pittsburgh’s creative heart. The neighborhood’s streets are lined with colorful murals, converted warehouses, and vibrant storefronts that house boutiques, cafés, and studios. Lawrenceville’s housing mirrors its evolution. The neighborhood features everything from historic row homes with original charm to modern townhouses, loft-style condos, and newly constructed single-family houses. And, with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh right in the neighborhood, Lawrenceville is also a popular choice for healthcare professionals who want a walkable, vibrant place to call home.

The main artery here is Butler Street, where residents and visitors flock to restaurants and nightlife, including shows at the historic Thunderbird Music Hall. The locals also love nearby Arsenal Park, a Civil War site that’s now home to shaded trails, playgrounds, athletic fields and more. 

Strip District

Just a short hop from Lawrenceville, the Strip District delivers a lively mix of food, culture, and riverfront energy. Residents live steps from specialty grocers, coffee roasters, and food stalls that define the neighborhood’s flavor, while weekends along Penn Avenue bring markets filled with pierogies, fresh pasta, and local goods. The area has also grown into a hub for tech and creative industries, with easy access to Downtown, scenic riverfront trails, and popular bike paths.

Housing in the Strip District reflects its industrial roots and modern reinvention. Most homes are condos or lofts inside converted warehouses, complete with exposed brick, steel beams, oversized windows, and city views. A limited number of newer townhomes add contemporary options to the mix, giving buyers a chance to enjoy modern layouts while staying close to the neighborhood’s bustling core.

For luxury and high-end living

The East End of Pittsburgh is home to some of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods, including Shadyside and Squirrel Hill North. The housing here ranges from historic Victorians to modern townhouses, often at higher price points than the city overall. For those seeking high-end living close to culture, cuisine, and green space, these luxury neighborhoods are worth a look.

Shadyside

Shadyside strikes a balance between timeless charm and modern living, with tree-lined sidewalks, beautifully maintained homes, and a mix of classic architecture and contemporary renovations. With a median list price of about $656,983, Shadyside’s market reflects its reputation as one of Pittsburgh’s more desirable neighborhoods. For buyers seeking high-end real estate, Shadyside also offers an impressive collection of luxury homes typically starting around $1 million and reaching well over $5 million, from historic estates to meticulously redesigned modern residences.

Shadyside’s combination of historic homes, luxury apartments and cultural energy make it ideal for those who want sophistication without sacrificing community. Its walkable streets are filled with high-end boutiques, art galleries and fine dining destinations. The Walnut Street shopping corridor rivals any big-city retail district, and residents also enjoy close access to Mellon Park, a spot known for its beautiful walled garden, public art, and year-round programming. The park’s Center for the Arts and indoor tennis bubble add unique activities to the mix, making it an easy choice for quiet strolls or active afternoons.

Squirrel Hill 

Located just south of Shadyside is the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. It’s actually two sister neighborhoods: the more densely populated, less expensive Squirrel Hill South, and Squirrel Hill North. The median list price in Squirrel Hill North is $808,667 as of October 2025, a reflection of the neighborhood’s enduring appeal. Squirrel Hill North’s stately architecture includes a mix of Grand Tudor, Colonial and Arts and Crafts-style homes. These properties are typically on generous lots with landscaped gardens, and have elegant interiors that highlight original woodwork and craftsmanship.

What makes Squirrel Hill North truly luxurious is its balance of privacy and access. The neighborhood borders Carnegie Mellon University and Schenley Park, offering quiet residential streets minutes from the cultural and academic core of Pittsburgh. Closer to home, Murray Avenue and Forbes Avenue feature boutique shopping, cafes and international dining options.

Point Breeze

With a median list price of $667,500 (as of October 2025) and a few higher-end luxury properties, Point Breeze offers prestige rooted in heritage. Point Breeze is characterized by its tree-shaded streets and collection of older homes showcasing early 1900s architectural styles. While the neighborhood includes a few notable historic estates, such as the Clayton mansion, most properties are classic single-family houses with timeless design features.

Part of Point Breeze lies in Frick Park, Pittsburgh’s largest and one of its most scenic green spaces. It’s also home to the Frick Pittsburgh Museum & Gardens.

Although you can easily get to Shadyside’s shops and restaurants, Point Breeze maintains a distinctly residential calm, making it a place where luxury means space, privacy, and enduring character.

For schools and higher education

Pittsburgh shines as a center for learning, with some top-ranked public schools and world-renowned universities. Mount Lebanon, in particular, is known for its exceptional public schools, while Oakland is a hub of innovation, research and culture. Whether you’re raising a family or pursuing higher education, these areas offer access to educational opportunities.

Mount Lebanon

Mount Lebanon is a Pittsburgh suburb known for its highly regarded public schools. Mount Lebanon High School is the No. 1 best high school in the Pittsburgh area and No. 7 in the state, according to U.S. News, recognized for strong academics, college readiness and advanced placement opportunities. The area’s elementary schools, such as Hoover, Lincoln, and Foster, also earn high marks for test performance and community involvement. 

Mount Lebanon as a town has multiple parks and local amenities, including Mount Lebanon Park and the Recreation Center, which hosts youth sports, swimming and after-school programs. With a median list price of $383,983, this area blends quality education with suburban comfort about 20 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh.

Oakland

Oakland is home to several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Carlow University, a Catholic institution. It’s one of the more walkable areas in the city, with multiple public transit options. In Oakland, cultural landmarks include the Carnegie museums, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park and the soaring Cathedral of Learning on the Pitt campus.

On the housing front, Oakland’s home values are on the lower end, at $231,106 as of October 2025.

For quiet living

Not every Pittsburgh neighborhood buzzes with nightlife or academia, and that’s exactly what some residents love about it. These quieter enclaves — including Highland Park and Regent Square — offer a slower rhythm without isolating you from the city’s conveniences.

Highland Park

Highland Park is in the northeast corner of Pittsburgh, still comfortably within city limits but far enough from Downtown, with a quieter residential scene. The neighborhood centers around the sprawling Highland Park, outfitted with wooded trails, gardens and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. With a median list price around $478,333, Highland Park offers a mix of historic homes, updated single-family properties, and character-filled residences that appeal to buyers seeking neighborhood charm without the premium price tag of Pittsburgh’s most upscale districts.

In Highland Park, quiet streets are lined with early 20th-century homes, including Colonials and Arts and Crafts styles. The neighborhood often hosts community events like the Highland Park Yard Sale — the largest in Pittsburgh — and Super Playground gatherings, while Bryant Street is packed with personality. The cafés and restaurants here offer everything from fragrant Thai dishes to Mediterranean-inspired plates that locals rave about. Many spots include small, welcoming bar areas where neighbors gather for a drink after work or settle in for a relaxed weekend meal. It’s the kind of street where the food feels global, but the atmosphere stays unmistakably local.

Regent Square

Regent Square is tucked along the eastern edge of Pittsburgh on the other side of Frick Park from Point Breeze and Squirrel Hill. Frick Park is Pittsburgh’s largest historic regional park, is a paradise for those looking for quiet, with more than 600 acres of forest trails of varying elevations. 

Despite its proximity to the city center, Regent Square feels distinctly suburban, with spacious yards and mature trees. The average home value in Regent Square is $402,264 as of October 2025 — higher than Pittsburgh’s overall average, and a 1.8% increase from last year.

How to choose a neighborhood in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has no shortage of desirable neighborhoods. To find the right one for you, make sure you understand your budget, needs and preferences. When you’re ready to make your move, find local Pittsburgh real estate agents on Zillow.

Here’s a recap of some of the best neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for:

• Affordability and value: Explore Bloomfield, Brookline or Mount Washington, where approachable prices meet strong community spirit.
• Lifestyle and community: Look to Lawrenceville or the Strip District, both rich with art, dining and a sense of connection.
• Luxury and high-end living: Consider Point Breeze, Shadyside or Squirrel Hill North, where history and elegance meet modern comfort.
• Schools and higher education: Mount Lebanon and Oakland stand out for their academic excellence and proximity to top universities.
• Quiet living: Choose Highland Park or Regent Square, both offering leafy streets, green space and calm just minutes from Downtown.

Explore other Pittsburgh neighborhoods

Photos by Zillow Listing Media Services