Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 303,620 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 9.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 2.0% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 5.8% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 4.2% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $64,137 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $43,590 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.5% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 47.8% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 39.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA