Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 9.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 28.8% | 22.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 4.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $64,137 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $43,590 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 19.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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