
Yes, Pittsburgh is a city of sports champions (you have probably heard about the Steelers, the Pirates, or the Penguins), but Pittsburgh is also the city of resilient, hard-working people who helped bring the city back from adversity. Those are the real champions. Pittsburgh has been ranked America's Third Best City to Live in the U.S., where you can walk, bike, and kayak for miles with urban views, yet still be engulfed in nature.
Many visitors walk away (or stay!) astonished at the beauty of this green and innovative city, that offers an affordable standard of living, some of the best health care facilities in the world, and cultural destinations that rival the largest of urban cities.
You might also know Pittsburgh as The Steel City
Pittsburgh played a significant role in U.S. history, including the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the infamous Whiskey Rebellion, and the Civil War. With access to resource-filled waterways (the city has a confluence of three rivers!), it was natural for Pittsburgh to become an industrial center for the U.S. as it grew into the nation we know today. Coal mining and steel production were the backbone for the blue-collar city and, up through the mid-1950s, Pittsburgh's steel production accounted for nearly half of the national output.
Today, Pittsburgh plays a significant role with history-making discoveries through technology, education, medicine, and research. Some of the largest companies worldwide have found a home (or second home) in Pittsburgh and its higher education institutions (like the University of Pittsburgh) are world-renowned for their research, innovation, and exceptional graduates and fellows.
Accolades
Overall Rankings |
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#3 Best City to Live in the U.S. (#30 worldwide) |
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#8 Best Place to Live in the Northeast |
Livability.com 2025 |
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#11 Most Neighborly City in America |
Neighbor.com 2024 |
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#13 Best Place to Live for Families |
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Affordability |
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#1 Most Affordable Major City |
Realtor.com 2025 |
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#3 Most Affordable City for Home Buyers |
WalletHub 2025 |
Career |
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#4 Best Metro Area for STEM Jobs |
WalletHub 2026 |
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#5 Best City for Jobs |
WalletHub 2026 |
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#6 Pennsylvania’s Best Employers (Education) |
Forbes 2025 |
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#10 Best Place to Start a Career |
WalletHub 2026 |
Lifestyle and Culture |
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#10 Best Coffee City in America |
WalletHub 2026 |
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#13 Best City for Foodies |
WalletHub 2026 |
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#24 Most Fun City in America |
WalletHub 2026 |
Sports |
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#1 Best City for Football Fans |
WalletHub 2026 |
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#3 Best City for Hockey Fans |
WalletHub 2026 |
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#4 Best Sports Bar City in America |
Livability.com 2024 |
Academics |
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#32 Top Public Schools (#69 National Universities) |
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#32 Best College for Future Leaders |
Time Magazine 2026 |
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#43 Top 50 Universities Powering Global Innovation |
Clarivate 2025 |
Pittsburgh also ranks among the best for galleries, green spaces, breweries, coffee shops, livability, education, health care, fitness, housing and more. View the full list of recent Pittsburgh accolades on Visit Pittsburgh's website.
We have so much to tell you about the food, culture, and fun in Pittsburgh
There is an extraordinary amount to learn, experience, and enjoy in Pittsburgh that it would be impossible to list everything here. To get you started, check out the Cool Pittsburgh site.
Get a quick overview of what Pittsburgh is all about