Arvada CO vs Pittsburgh PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 82.8% | 63.7% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 4.2% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $64,137 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $43,590 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 19.5% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 47.8% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 47.2% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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