Proprietary Market Metrics

Best Restaurant Location in Pittsburgh

Our analysis of Pittsburgh reveals $24/sqft commercial rates, 70/100 pedestrian activity, and moderate saturation—key factors in the high outlook for restaurant ventures.

Launching a restaurant in Pittsburgh requires $255K capital against $65K household income (3.9x multiple).

78/100 opportunity score
2,457,000 metro residents
$65,000 average income
48/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
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303K
Market Population
$65K
Avg Income
High
Commercial Activity
5
Core Sectors
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Find the Best Restaurant Location in Pittsburgh

Use our AI-powered map to discover the perfect street address in Pittsburgh. Select your target area and unlock competitor gaps, foot traffic data, and optimal zones.

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Pittsburgh, United States

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Foot traffic data
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
2,457,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis

Restaurant Opportunity Score: Pittsburgh

Competitive dynamics unique to Pittsburgh

78 / 100

Market Opportunity

Based on 7 comprehensive market factors

Strong Opportunity

Financial Overview

Average Startup Cost
$255,000
Industry Success Rate
18%
Expected ROI Timeline
18-36 months
Customer Draw Radius
800m
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Unique Market Intelligence

Restaurant Market in Pittsburgh

quantitative site ranking

Market Position

Pittsburgh positioning

Launching a restaurant in Pittsburgh requires $255K capital against $65K household income (3.9x multiple).

Location costs run $24/sqft (70 walkability score), totaling $24,000/mo for standard retail footprint.

Market scale: 2.5M population × $65K income = $160B consumer spending power.

Moderate competition meets high growth at 3.9x startup-to-income ratio.

Market viability index: 63/100 (factors: 3.9x funding, 70/100 walkability, $24/sqft costs).

Pittsburgh runs on Healthcare and Technology, supporting $65K earners.

Steady 2.5% growth with moderate competition indicates mature market conditions.

$255K startup. 47 local income-months to break even.

Competitive Position

National ranking for restaurants

Score: 78.5/100. 2.5M people. $65K income.

Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.25x.

Traffic: 70. Rent: $24/sqft. Income: $65K.

High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 78.5.

2.5M metro. $24/sqft rent. 70 foot traffic.

$255K startup. $24,000/mo rent. 47 income-months to recoup.

Score 78.5. Moderate competition. Good entry point.

$159.7B total income across 2.5M people.

Strategic Recommendations

Actionable strategies tailored for Pittsburgh

High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.

Traffic: 70. Rent: $24/sqft. $24,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

$65K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.

Restaurant: $255K to open. 47 income-months to recoup.

Traffic 70. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.

2.5M metro. $65K income. 2-3 locations possible.

$288,000/yr rent. 443.1% of local income. Factor that in.

High growth absorbs Moderate competition. Worth entering.

Launch Timing & Momentum

Align your opening window with market-ready signals

Entry Signal

Moderate - Strategic Entry

With moderate saturation, Pittsburgh rewards operators who execute fundamentals exceptionally well. Invest in staff training, consistent quality, and local community engagement over the next 6-12 months to build sustainable advantage.

Timing score: 48/100
  • 📈 High growth outlook - strong expansion timing
  • ⚖️ Moderate competition - balanced market entry

Seasonal Levers

  • Holiday dining
  • Summer outdoor seating
  • Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks

How Pittsburgh surpasses

based on 70/100 traffic metrics

Pittsburgh's $65,000 average income runs 61% above the $40,492 national benchmark, supporting premium pricing.

Pittsburgh's $24/sqft lease rates undercut the $33/sqft benchmark by 26%.

Pittsburgh's 70/100 walkability index runs 11% lower than typical (79/100).

Regional reach of 2.5M positions Pittsburgh 36% below the 3.8M standard.

Restaurant Market Analysis for Pittsburgh

Why Pittsburgh for Restaurants?

  • Metro population of 2,457,000 provides large customer base
  • Average income of $65,000 supports restaurant spending
  • High business density indicates healthy economic activity
  • Strong foot traffic opportunities throughout the city
  • Strong demographics opportunities throughout the city

Restaurant Success Factors

Foot traffic
Essential
Demographics
Essential
Competition density
Essential
Parking availability
Essential
Visibility
Essential
Local cuisine preferences
Essential

Seasonal Considerations for Pittsburgh

Holiday dining

Summer outdoor seating

Event catering opportunities

Best Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh

From downtown to suburban: Pittsburgh's opportunity spread

Downtown Pittsburgh

High Potential
Highest foot traffic in city
Premium pricing potential
Diverse customer base

Business District

Strong Weekday
Office worker demographics
Peak lunch & after-work hours
Catering opportunities

Suburban Areas

Growth Area
Family-oriented demographics
Lower competition density
Ample parking available

Pittsburgh vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants

City Population Avg Income Market Score Action
Pittsburgh ⭐ 2,457,000 $65,000
78/100
Current City
Atlanta 6,307,000 $71,000
90/100
Explore →
Plano 7,760,000 $102,000
90/100
View data →
Frisco 7,760,000 $127,000
88/100
Compare →
Fort Lauderdale 6,166,000 $73,000
87/100
Check it →
Market Signals

Restaurant Insights Unique to Pittsburgh

Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.

01

Restaurant opportunity score in Pittsburgh hits 78/100 thanks to $65,000 incomes and 70/100 foot traffic.

02

Location costs run $24/sqft (70 walkability score), totaling $24,000/mo for standard retail footprint.

03

High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 78.5.

04

In Pittsburgh, Local cuisine preferences becomes the tiebreaker.

05

Pittsburgh outperforms Atlanta by -12 points on the opportunity index, highlighting why the city commands premium rents.

FAQ

Restaurant FAQs for Pittsburgh

Each answer references real Pittsburgh data so this section is unique across the site.

What makes the Pittsburgh market distinctive?

Location costs run $24/sqft (70 walkability score), totaling $24,000/mo for standard retail footprint.

What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Pittsburgh?

Local cuisine preferences should lead your playbook when launching in Pittsburgh.

How does Pittsburgh compare to other restaurant markets?

Pittsburgh outperforms Atlanta by -12 points on the opportunity index, highlighting why the city commands premium rents.

What playbook works best for restaurants in Pittsburgh?

2.5M metro. $65K income. 2-3 locations possible.

Data Sources & Methodology

Our analysis combines multiple authoritative data sources

Economic Data

  • World Bank Open Data
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • National Census Bureaus

Business Intelligence

  • Ease of Doing Business Index
  • Global Innovation Index
  • Industry Association Reports

Demographics

  • UN Population Division
  • Municipal Open Data Portals
  • Consumer Expenditure Surveys

Real Estate

  • Commercial Real Estate Listings
  • CoStar Market Analytics
  • Local Zoning Databases

Methodology Note: Our opportunity scores are calculated using a weighted algorithm that considers population density, income levels, competition saturation, commercial rent costs, and industry-specific success factors. Data is refreshed quarterly from authoritative sources. Individual results may vary based on specific business circumstances, local regulations, and market conditions not captured in aggregate data.

Ready to Open Your Restaurant in Pittsburgh?

Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 78/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 70/100 foot traffic index. With moderate saturation, Pittsburgh rewards operators who execute fundamentals exceptionally well. Invest in staff training, consistent quality, and local community engagement over the next 6-12 months to build sustainable advantage.