Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 303,620 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 9.3% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 34.1% | 22.5% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.8% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 4.2% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $64,137 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $43,590 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.2% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA