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Living in Pittsburgh

Where is Carnegie Mellon University?

CMU is proud to call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home. The city provides an unbeatable combination of affordability and opportunity for our students and staff. With a cost of living at the national average, a thriving innovation ecosystem, and rich cultural offering, the Steel City is an ideal place to study and launch your career.

Home to cutting-edge startups, tech giants and healthcare leaders, Pittsburgh contains a wealth of internship and professional opportunities. As a CMU Tartan, you'll be at the heart of this energetic environment, surrounded by like-minded peers and industry pioneers. But that's just the beginning of what makes our city shine.

Spend your weekends exploring world-class museums, historic music venues and award-winning restaurants. Or perhaps you'd rather bike along the riverfront trails, hike in nearby parks or cheer on our champion sports teams. Whatever your lifestyle, it's easy to make Pittsburgh your home, too.

Getting to Campus

Wherever you're coming from, plan your trip to CMU using our visitor information guide that covers transportation, on-campus dining options, accommodation recommendations, and more.

Get Visitor Information

Pittsburgh by the Numbers

Live in a city built for your success. The 'Burgh has all the ingredients you need to thrive.

Top 10

Rental market for recent college graduates, according to Realtor.com

#8

Best cities to find a job, according to WalletHub

3,600 Acres

Of city parks to explore, including Schenley Park, which is adjacent to campus

Innovation and Opportunity

This is a city that breeds innovation — a bustling ecosystem of emerging industries that power the economic prosperity of the region, the nation and the world.

Technology

Robotics and software engineering are the city's tech cornerstones, attracting global giants and nurturing homegrown success stories. Google, Uber, Microsoft and Apple have all established significant presences here, while an ever-expanding galaxy of tech startups — including language-learning phenomenon Duolingo and fashion innovator Modcloth — trace their roots back to Carnegie Mellon University.

Health Care

With two of the country's largest hospital systems, Pittsburgh's world-class health care network allows health-related startups like Apollo Neuro and Ocean Genomics to thrive. The city also has a reputation for biomedical innovation — cultivating lifesaving technology, advancing medical devices and developing regenerative medicine and pharmaceuticals.

Energy

The city has a storied legacy in the energy industry, which accounts for thousands of jobs in the region at companies like Chevron, Eaton, PPG and Shell. Today, there's a concerted effort to put Pittsburgh at the forefront of energy innovation, with a focus on integrating traditional and alternative energy sources to create solutions that are cleaner and more cost effective.

Advanced Manufacturing

For over a century, the Pittsburgh region's skilled workforce, outstanding transportation infrastructure and plentiful industrial sites and buildings have made it home to a thriving manufacturing industry. Today, that industry is expanding into growing fields like additive manufacturing, engineering, information technology and robotics. Both global giants and smaller companies are making goods in Pittsburgh — and many are partnering with CMU to make game-changing strides in the process.

Hear From CMU Students About Life in Pittsburgh

Find Your Home in Local Neighborhoods

All first-year CMU undergraduate students live on campus, but many upperclassmen and graduate students discover their home away from home in nearby neighborhoods. From the tree-lined streets of Shadyside and the bustling eateries of Squirrel Hill to the academic and cultural hub of Oakland, each area offers its own unique character and convenience.

A major perk? Pittsburgh's housing affordability. According to Apartments.com, the average rent in the city is 15% lower than the national average, stretching your budget further.

Ready to find your perfect spot? Explore these resources:

Off-Campus Housing Marketplace: A curated platform connecting CMU students with local housing options.
Graduate Student Housing FAQ: Essential information to guide your housing search as a grad student.

Free Admission with CMU Arts Pass

Your CMU student ID is more than just campus access — it's your key to the city's world-class museums and attractions, all for free. Learn about the CMU Arts Pass.

Things to Do in Pittsburgh

From serene hikes to cultural adventures, the Steel City offers endless ways to recharge and explore beyond campus.

Foodie Destinations

Savor award-winning cuisine, from classic pierogies to inventive fusion dishes. Pittsburgh's diverse eateries cater to every palate and budget.

Gallery Crawl

Immerse yourself in this quarterly arts extravaganza, where the Downtown Cultural District transforms into a sprawling canvas of visual and performance art.

Hike, Bike, Row

Hike lush trails, bike along three rivers or kayak on urban waterways. Pittsburgh's green spaces and waterways await your exploration.

Pittsburgh Cultural District

Experience premier performances — symphony, opera, ballet, musicals and more — in stunning, historic venues.

Pittsburgh Sports Teams

Feel the energy as you cheer on our legendary teams. Whether it's Penguins ice hockey, Pirates baseball, Riverhounds soccer or Steelers football, game day is always electric.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Experience animals up close at one of only six major combined zoo and aquarium complexes in the country.