Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Denver
62.9%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 303,620 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.3% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 8.8% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 4.2% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $64,137 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $43,590 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 19.5% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 47.8% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 47.2% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 39.3 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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