Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 303,620 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 11.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 76.8% | 22.5% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 4.2% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $240,538 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 47.2% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1613 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 39.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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