Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 303,620 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.9% | 22.5% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 4.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 442 in Houston. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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