Contrary to national trends, Pittsburgh apartments are shrinking.
According to rental site RentCafe.com, “While apartment sizes are growing in many cities, Pittsburgh is moving in the other direction. The average size of newly built apartments has dropped by 116 square feet — which is roughly the space you’d need for a home office.”
“That’s not a minor shift — it marks the 10th largest decrease in the country. New units here average just 820 square feet, compared to the national benchmark of 908 square feet. That puts Pittsburgh apartments closer in size to ones in much denser places like Brooklyn (708 sq ft) and Queens (702 sq ft), where apartment sizes have actually grown slightly in recent years.”
I must say, however, that I don’t think acquiring more square footage should always be the goal. (Yes, that goes against all my inborn instincts as an American, but whatever). If you could use more living space, go for it. If not, why pay extra for something you don’t need?
If apartments are getting smaller because they’re being built for young, early-career renters, then that’s a good sign for the local economy.
On a related note, mandating minimum lot sizes for homes is also bad. Pittsburgh is actually making progress on this score. Historically, minimum lot size requirements have been a tool of exclusionary zoning intended to prevent lower-income households from being able to live in certain neighborhoods. Neighborhoods that are diverse — in incomes in particular — tend to be healthy, vibrant, and interesting.
More apartments built in more shapes and sizes gives everybody more to choose from, to fit the lives they seek to build. Almost forgot this is the whole point.
For sale: 5611 Elmer St., Apt. 201, Shadyside, $249,90
If you thought that nothing in Shadyside has been affordable in 30 years or more, you’d be mostly right. But there are always some condos here and here, even a few in attractive historic properties like this one, built in 1900. This spot wasn’t stripped of its ornamentation in a frenzy of mid-century hubris, which is a nice bonus. I can’t really tell what that serpent-looking-thing is over the entrance — my hope is that it’s some secret occult symbol with a meaning lost to the ages. The interior is updated, but not in a hideous way (for once), with lots of bright, open space and big windows. Sure, 945 square feet is cozy, but this is a location in walking distance of a lot of things.
For rent: The Julian, 419 Melwood Ave., Oakland, $1,649/month.
If I’m so interested in “affordable housing,” why would I be happy to see less-affordable new construction being built? Well, Pittsburgh went so long without anything new being built — just try finding something built here in the ‘80s-‘90s — that we have some of the oldest housing stock in the country. I like old houses, but they aren’t for everyone. And as new apartments go, these are fairly attractive. At least, they’re a big step up from the shipping-container-chic of a lot of the new builds in Lawrenceville and East Liberty.
For sale: 1310 Diana St., Spring Hill, $200,000.
Sure, there are some rust stains on the smudge-colored siding, an aluminum awning that probably sounds like a recycling truck in a rainstorm, and a pretty dated kitchen. And yet, that’s a peach-colored dining room. That might not be for everyone, but it’s probably for someone. Sensing a theme this week? This is a pretty good amount of room, with some historic character (built in 1910), and in a central location.
For rent: Frontenac, 490 Highland Ave., Shadyside. $852-1,342/month
Built as a hotel in 1928, later remodeled into apartments, this is the kind of place that seems to invite imagining a cozy murder mystery (OK, without the murder). Though Shadyside has a reputation for stuffy old rich people, in my experience, it has deep reservoirs of eccentricity. It’s also a crossroads for lots of different kinds of people, drawn to work or teach or attend the world-class schools nearby.
For sale: 107 Overbrook Ave., $176,000. Overbrook.
Wait, there are really three bedrooms in here? This home looks like Snoopy’s doghouse, except made of brick. Wait, did I just talk myself into loving this place? (Yes). This is actually a duplex, with two levels of deck out back, wedged into a hillside. Overbrook isn’t known for much of anything, but that works in your favor when seeking affordability.
For sale: 126 Laughlin Ave., $79,900. Carrick.
Yes, there are some houses left in the sub-$100k price range of Pittsburgh 20 years ago. But they’re very old, in places like Carrick instead of Lawrenceville or Bloomfield, and are pretty weird — like this place that doesn’t even have a front door. So, it’s probably not for everyone, but if you want an inexpensive house that’s built to last (it’s been here since 1900), and is still fairly convenient to Downtown, the South Side, and South Hills, this could be it.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2025.
