Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 9.3% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 63.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 4.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $64,137 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $43,590 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 19.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 47.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 39.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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